District of Delaware Launches Program Fraud Task Force to Combat Federal Benefit Fraud

WILMINGTON, Del. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware announced the formation of the Program Fraud Task Force, a coordinated effort to combat fraud against federal government programs and protect American taxpayers. The task force brings together the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, more than a dozen federal law enforcement agencies, and multiple state agencies.

The inaugural meeting of the Task Force was held on October 29, 2026, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Kaufman, Civil Chief Dylan Steinberg, and District Fraud Counsel Bryan Williamson addressed attendees, expressing gratitude to partner agencies for their commitment and discussing strategies to enhance the collective effort to ensure federal funds are properly used.

“Americans work hard for their paychecks, and they rightfully expect that every cent taken out of those paychecks in federal taxes is used as Congress intended,” U.S. Attorney Wallace stated. “For too long, fraudsters have exploited the various benefit programs that Congress has erected. In doing so, those fraudsters steal not only from the vulnerable populations that the programs are meant to benefit, but also from every American taxpayer whose hard-earned money funds the programs. My Office and our law enforcement partners have always been dedicated to fighting fraud on the American taxpayer. But through our Program Fraud Task Force, we can—and will—improve our fraud-fighting efforts by banding together and reaping the benefits of increased collaboration.”

Delaware receives approximately $4.1 billion annually in direct federal funding for public health, housing, agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, education, and other programs. Prior to the Task Force’s creation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners have actively pursued fraud recovery and prosecutions related to these funds.

Over the past three fiscal years, the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office resolved more than 20 fraud-on-the-government cases under the False Claims Act, securing judgments and settlements exceeding $76 million. Concurrently, the Criminal Division prosecuted approximately 14 defendants for defrauding the government, resulting in ordered restitution of about $22 million.

The District of Delaware’s Program Fraud Task Force is part of a broader national initiative to combat fraud against government programs. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the establishment of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which investigates and prosecutes fraud targeting the American public. This effort supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, aimed at eradicating fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.

The Task Force includes participation from numerous federal agencies, such as the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Communications Commission Office of Inspector General, General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.

State-level partners include the Delaware Office of the Inspector General and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Audit and Recovery Management Services.

Recent enforcement actions underscore the Task Force’s mission. For example, on October 20, 2026, a Michigan man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program. Additionally, Garrett Mechanical Inc., a Dover-based contractor, along with Hey Brother, LLC, and individuals Joseph Bruni and Daniel Tulchin, agreed to pay $295,204 to resolve allegations of fraud. On October 1, 2026, Deborah Evans Mott of Ormond Beach, Florida, was convicted of making false statements under penalty of perjury in a bankruptcy proceeding.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware has made the press release regarding the Task Force publicly available on its website.

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