EDNC Forms Taxpayer Fraud Task Force, TF2, Harnessing Combined Talents of Federal Partners to Combat Fraud Against the Government

RALEIGH, N.C. - The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced the formation of the Taxpayer Fraud Task Force (TF2), a new initiative that brings together federal law enforcement agencies and Offices of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate and prosecute fraud targeting taxpayer-funded programs and government benefits.

They announced the initiative following a federal agency leadership meeting, where representatives from participating agencies pledged their commitment to combating fraud and safeguarding public resources.

"Government fraud is not a victimless crime. I am a taxpayer; you are a taxpayer. They're stealing our money," said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. "Every dollar stolen through fraud is a dollar diverted from the taxpayers who fund these programs and from the citizens who need these programs. TF2, we will strengthen existing partnerships among prosecutors, agents, analysts, auditors, and inspectors general to identify fraud schemes, investigate them aggressively, and hold offenders accountable. We will find you, we will prosecute you, and a federal prison cell waits for you. Cheaters. Never. Win."

The creation of TF2 reflects the U.S. Attorney's Office's expanded commitment to combating fraud against the United States and protecting the integrity of federal programs. The Office recently added two federal prosecutors to its Fraud Section and expects to add even more fraud-focused prosecutors in the coming months, significantly increasing its ability to pursue government fraud investigations and prosecutions throughout Eastern North Carolina.

A Coordinated Effort to Combat Government Fraud

TF2 unites the U.S. Attorney's Office, federal investigative agencies, and several agency or program Offices of Inspector General in a coordinated effort to protect taxpayer dollars and the integrity of federal programs. Participating agencies are expected to include at least:

TF2 will leverage the expertise of OIGs and agency partners overseeing healthcare, benefits, housing, disaster relief, agriculture, small businesses, tax, amongst many other federal programs. Together, these partners will identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud schemes that threaten public resources, while expanding partnerships to address emerging fraud risks.

"Government fraud threatens the integrity of public programs and steals resources from citizens who depend on them. The FBI is dedicated to identifying, investigating, and disrupting these schemes to ensure taxpayer funds are safeguarded and public resources reach their intended beneficiaries. This task force initiative is a great step in bringing a whole of government approach to combating government fraud and the FBI intends to work closely with our partners to protect the public and hold accountable those who abuse these programs for personal gain," said Reid Davis the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.

"Strong federal, state, and local partnerships are essential to combating fraud," said Special Agent in Charge Donald "Trey" Eakins of IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office. "IRS Criminal Investigation has long worked with law enforcement partners to find and disrupt complex financial fraud schemes targeting government programs. These collaborations, from healthcare fraud investigations to finding criminals through forensic accounting, have produced meaningful results. This new task force will build on earlier successes by uniting our resources and expertise to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud against taxpayer funded programs."

"The Eastern District of North Carolina holds one of the most critical Department of War footprints in the nation, and NCIS is strategically positioned to directly target the complex procurement fraud, corruption, and financial schemes that threaten our warfighters, military assets, and local communities," said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Parrish of the Carolinas Field Office. "The Eastern District's Taxpayer Fraud Task Force represents a powerful alliance. NCIS is proud to stand alongside the EDNC U.S. Attorney's Office and our federal partners to aggressively root out those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of our military readiness, our national security, and American taxpayers."

Increasing Fraud Referrals and Investigations

TF2 will increase fraud referrals, coordinate investigations, and prosecute schemes that target federal programs and taxpayer-funded benefits. By bringing together subject-matter experts, investigators, and prosecutors, TF2 will detect fraud sooner, pursue complex cases more effectively, and recover taxpayer dollars whenever possible.

"HHS-OIG is proud to join our federal and state law enforcement partners in the EDNC TF2 to strengthen our efforts to detect, investigate, and combat fraud impacting critical HHS programs," said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General T. March Bell. "By working together, we can more effectively safeguard taxpayer dollars, disrupt criminal schemes, and hold accountable those who seek to exploit programs that millions of Americans depend on."

"Partnerships forged through programs such as the TF2 strengthen the VA OIG's ability to uncover fraud, hold wrongdoers accountable, and protect every taxpayer dollar entrusted to the government," said Inspector General Cheryl L. Mason, Department of Veterans Affairs. "As a North Carolina resident, I know this task force will help protect the many veterans who reside in this community."

Commitment to Innovation and Collaboration

The EDNC U.S. Attorney's Office has sought participating agencies to continue identifying new opportunities for collaboration with a specific pledged amount over the next few months and years and to share ideas for improving fraud detection, case development, and prosecution strategies. TF2 will serve as a force multiplier, bringing together the collective expertise of federal partners to combat fraud schemes that collectively cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("NFED"). The NFED is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

This Office remains committed to protecting the citizens of Eastern North Carolina by aggressively pursuing individuals and organizations that exploit government programs for personal gain. Through initiatives like TF2, the EDNC will safeguard taxpayer dollars, support victims, and strengthen the integrity of federal programs across the district hand in glove with our federal law enforcement partners.

A copy of this press release is located on our website.