Auditor of State’s Office Receives $2.3 Million U.S. Department of Justice Grant to Further Combat Fraud and Other Crimes
COLUMBUS — Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber announced his office will receive nearly $2.3 million in federal funds to further combat Medicaid fraud, drug and human trafficking, and other crimes.
The grant, awarded under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Special Attorney Program, will enable the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office to hire additional full-time attorneys to assist in federal prosecutions.
“We have identified billions of dollars in fraud, waste, and abuse of public resources since 2019,” Auditor Faber said. “These federal grant dollars will help us as we continue to prosecute those responsible for crimes against the public trust.”
In April, federal officials announced $300 million in grant funding for state and local government offices to strengthen efforts to investigate and prosecute fraud and other crimes.
The Auditor of State’s Office applied for the funding to hire additional attorneys through its Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and received notification late last month that it will receive a grant totaling $2,267,723.
The funds will be used to hire three prosecutors, who will be employees of SIU and will serve as special attorneys through a partnership with the Department of Justice under its fraud enforcement or criminal divisions or local U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 165 convictions resulting in more than $17.8 million in restitution (see?Map of SIU Convictions?since January 2019). The team receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via SIU’s fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364).
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The Auditor of State’s Office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.
Public Affairs
Contact: Marc Kovac
press@ohioauditor.gov
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