UPDATE (11:29 AM): The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has provided an update on the press conference announcing charges related to childcare fraud in San Diego.
Twelve people, according to the DOJ, are facing federal fraud charges following an investigation which revealed “more than $10 million intended to help low-income families pay for childcare was instead funneled to bogus daycare providers.”
Last Thursday, September 10, more than 250 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested all 12 people, as well as executed 12 search warrants at homes in the San Diego area “purported to be used as daycare facilities.”
“Today is a bad day for home daycare fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California, “These are the first charges alleging this type of fraud since the formation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. These fraudsters may have criminally gamed the system before. But today, the game is over.”
“These charges underscore a simple truth: anyone who steals from programs meant to support children will face swift and uncompromising accountability,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Fraud against these programs is an attack on vulnerable families, and law enforcement will continue to dismantle schemes that exploit them. I want to thank the prosecutors and agents in the Southern District of California whose relentless work exposed this scheme and ensured that those responsible are being held accountable.”
For the list of those facing federal fraud charges, as well as the charges they’re facing, read the press release below.
SAN DIEGO (KYMA, NBC) – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is holding a press conference Tuesday morning.
The press conference, according to the DOJ, is to announce significant charges related to childcare fraud.
According to a press release obtained by NBC News, the following people are participating the press conference:
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Olah for the Southern District of California
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona
Assistant Director Michael Krol of Homeland Security Investigations
Chief Jarod Koopman of Internal Revenue Services Criminal Investigation
Special Agent in Charge Robb Breeden of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General
To watch the livestream of the press conference, see attached video.