“Mr. Vice President, thank you for your leadership against fraud on the American taxpayer. USDA's Office of Inspector General has been a proud part of your whole of government fight to eliminate fraud. Our law enforcement agents have worked tirelessly across the country from Seattle to Miami, Jackson, Mississippi to Cleveland, Ohio to disrupt fraud, restore integrity to federal programs, and arrest criminal fraudsters who steal from hardworking American taxpayers. SNAP fraud despicably robs from low-income Americans that rely on the program for food assistance and diverts taxpayer funds to line the pockets of fraudsters and bankroll other criminal activities. Drugs, guns, transnational organized crime. We've known that some of this money has gone to terrorist organizations. No more, Mr. Vice President.” – USDA Inspector General John Walk @WHFraudTF @VP @SecRollins @DepSecVaden

“SNAP fraud despicably robs from low-income Americans that rely on the program for food assistance and diverts taxpayer funds to line the pockets of fraudsters and bankroll other criminal activities like guns and drugs that make American communities less safe. No more! USDA OIG is committed to support Vice President Vance’s leadership to disrupt fraud schemes and send criminals straight to prison. I am honored to stand with Vice President Vance today and grateful for our special agents whose work as part of this nationwide surge brought significant law enforcement actions against fraudsters in dozens of cases across the country. This surge is only the beginning. USDA OIG will continue to unite behind our partners in the whole-of-government fight to eliminate fraud and hold fraudsters to account,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. Read the press release at justice.gov/opa/pr/dojs-frau… @WHFraudTF @VP @SecRollins @DepSecVaden

Last week, USDA Inspector General John Walk was in Seattle with Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd and FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Herrington to announce the return of an international fugitive from India to face justice for SNAP fraud. Walk discussed plans with law enforcement partners to fight fraud to ensure taxpayer funded benefits intended for needy Americans make it to those who need help to feed their family and are not siphoned off to criminals who use fraud proceeds to perpetuate other criminal activities including drugs and guns that erode Emerald City neighborhoods. OIG is just getting started in the Pacific Northwest! Read the USAO release at justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/own… @WHFraudTF @WDWAnews @VP

Owner of Tacoma grocery store, who fled when indicted for food stamp fraud, returned from India to face charges “This fraudster tried to escape justice by fleeing to his home country of India. Now the long arm of the law has brought him back to the United States to face the consequences for his crimes,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.  “Stealing SNAP benefits – food assistance benefits intended for low-income Americans – is wrong and no matter where they run, we will not stop pursuing those who perpetrate these crimes against the poorest Americans and the American taxpayer.” Read the USAO release at justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/own… @WHFraudTF @WDWAnews

“Today, I am proud to take the VP’s pledge and join President Trump and Vice President Vance in the fight against fraud. I am proud of the USDA OIG law enforcement agents across the country who work tirelessly every day to stop fraud. Together, we will ensure that benefits intended for law-abiding Americans are not stolen by fraudsters.” - USDA Inspector General John Walk. @WHFraudTF @VP

“It is an unconscionable betrayal of the public trust for a former state official with a pending indictment for drug and gun offenses to then also steal SNAP benefits from the American taxpayer – food assistance benefits intended for low-income Americans,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “This former state employee lied about his income and family situation to cheat the program. He will now face justice.” justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/forme… @WHFraudTF @DMAnews1

In accordance with the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, the 2026 USDA Top Management Challenges report summarizes what the Office of Inspector General considers the most significant management and performance challenges facing the Department. The report highlights four areas: Fighting Fraud, Protecting National Security, Ensuring Public Safety, and Efficient Delivery of USDA Programs, Operations, and Initiatives. oig.usda.gov/reports/top-man…

Check out USDA OIG’s new Broadband Data Stroll. This interactive tool allows you to see progress in broadband connectivity and the federal funding happening in your community. arcg.is/1DTavX1

SNAP Recipients Beware - Fraud Scam Targeting SNAP Benefits SNAP recipients should beware of a widespread scam to steal SNAP benefits loaded onto EBT cards of program participants. These fraudsters which include sophisticated organized international criminals place skimming devices inside SNAP card reading machines at stores that accept EBT. Information accessed on EBT cards are used by fraudsters to steal benefits from intended recipients and their families. This criminal activity is occurring nationwide. State agencies are responsible for EBT card security and recipients are encouraged to contact their state agency to learn about options available to recipients in their state to protect against EBT fraud. Here is a list of general precautions SNAP recipients can take: ✔️Lock your card when not in use ✔️Change your pin often – especially before the download of benefits ✔️Protect your pin – don’t share it with others ✔️Be cautious about card readers that appear damaged or tampered with ✔️Look out for cameras that capture card/pin information If your benefits are skimmed, please report it to your state SNAP administering agency and USDA OIG hotline at oig.usda.gov/hotline-informa…. Stolen benefits are not replaced. To learn more about the scam, read the recent Wall Street Journal story - wsj.com/business/the-romania…

“It is an unconscionable betrayal of the public trust for a federal employee responsible for administering justice to exploit the workers’ compensation program for fraudulent gain. Insider threats are a disgrace to the civil service,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “The conduct described in the indictment reflects shameful abandonment of the oath of office and dishonors the service of those who serve USDA OIG with integrity. She will now face justice.” Read the press release oig.usda.gov/articles/news/p…

“Animal fighting is often linked to other public safety crimes like guns, trafficking, gangs, and drugs. USDA OIG is committed to getting these criminals off the streets and do our part to Make America Safe Again,” said Inspector General John Walk. “It was a tremendous honor to stand with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. at the Animal Welfare Strike Force Roundtable. Thank you to Lara Trump and Lauree Simmons of Big Dog Ranch Rescue for your work bringing the important issue of animal welfare to light.” See IG Walk’s remarks here youtu.be/D4pxkrZzGO4

Abbott Agrees to Pay Over $384M to Settle Allegations Related to Contaminated Infant Formula “Parents rely on companies like Abbott Laboratories to responsibly follow the rules and ensure their products – especially baby formula – are safe. USDA OIG remains vigilant against those that would compromise public health and safety by failing to comply with legal standards and put infants at risk,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.  “This behavior is inexcusable and will not be condoned.” justice.gov/opa/pr/abbott-ag… @WHFraudTF

“I enjoyed visiting with Sally Doty, Director of BEAM - Mississippi’s broadband office - on my recent trip to Jackson, MS. It was great to hear about her office’s mission to deliver broadband connectivity for unserved and underserved Mississippians and for me to share about an upcoming USDA OIG product in conjunction with other federal IGs that will support oversight and transparency of federal programs intended to improve broadband service in rural America.” – Inspector General John Walk.

This week Inspector General John Walk participated on a panel with United States Attorneys across Florida, the Florida Attorney General, and Commissioner of Florida Department of Law Enforcement at the Inaugural Florida Anti-fraud Task Force meeting to discuss the importance of state and federal partnerships to root out fraud. Read the press release at justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/flo… @WHFraudTF @TheJusticeDept @DOJFraudDiv @USAO_SDFL @USAO_MDFL @USAO_NDFL @AGJamesUthmeier @fdlepio

Dogfighting Investigation Results in Largest Single Property Dog Seizure in South Carolina History, 7 Men Charged “USDA OIG will not tolerate the violent and inhuman practice of dogfighting,” said Inspector General John Walk. “I commend our law enforcement agents for rescuing more than 100 dogs from this heinous cruelty and bringing the defendants to face justice.” justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/dog-f… @USAO_SC

Let’s bring this FBI Most Wanted Fraudster to justice. @DepSecVaden @WHFraudTF @FBISeattle

Today, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and USDA Inspector General John Walk briefed on the success of their partnership around Operation Stronghold – an education and outreach operation to fight SNAP fraud in Mississippi. These are exactly the types of successful partnerships – federal, state, and local – that will protect American tax dollars and help stop SNAP fraud across the nation. Read the press release - AG Fitch and USDA IG John Walk Conclude Statewide Anti-Fraud Operation - at attorneygenerallynnfitch.com… @LynnFitchAG @WHFraudTF