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Life Issues / Family Ethics Political Action Committee of Southwest Washington |
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Questions: Give a list of credible accusations of financial fraud nationally and in Washington State. |
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Eliminating Fraud At The Forefront of President’s Agenda Gateway Pundit, April 20, 2026 Since the advent of DOGE, which was first conceptualized on an X space between President Trump and Elon Musk the summer before the 2024 presidential election, the policy arm of the MAGA movement has been committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government operations. While Americans have long known about the wasteful misuse of taxpayer dollars, DOGE spotlighted the issue in a way that could no longer be ignored. Virtually every single Executive Branch agency was subject to DOGE review and interrogation in some form, and a few – such as USAID – were disbanded entirely because of the level of wastefulness discovered. Though DOGE’s heyday may have passed, the administration’s commitment to eliminating waste – which is invariably endemic in large, complex bureaucracies – remains a top domestic priority. |
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US Government Losing Half a Trillion Dollars a Year to Fraud Newsweek Magazine, April 16, 2026 Federal watchdogs warned Congress this week that fraud across government programs is draining hundreds of billions of dollars every year, much of it tied to benefits and grants administered by states. Concern is rising because pandemic-era spending exposed weaknesses that remain largely unresolved as federal dollars continue to flow through decentralized systems. Taxpayers, program beneficiaries and state agencies all feel the consequences as losses mount and trust in government oversight erodes. Federal auditors told lawmakers on April 15 that fraud is costing the U.S. government roughly half a trillion dollars annually across federal programs, including those run by states. Trillions of federal dollars continue to move through state systems, with many long-standing fraud controls still unaddressed after the COVID-19 spending surge. State-administered programs like Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and nutrition assistance face heightened scrutiny as Congress weighs how to reduce losses without slowing aid. |
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Corrupt California Democrats Want to Protect Fraudsters, Cover Up Fraud and Hide the Evidence... Bill Bruch, April 14, 2026 California State Democrats are trying to make it illegal to investigate fraud with bill AB 2624, dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.” This proposed new law represents a blatant attack on independent journalist Nick Shirley and the principles of free speech and transparency. Shirley has gained national attention for his viral undercover videos exposing hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud involving taxpayer-funded immigrant daycare and support services in California, where centers appeared empty or misused. 'Expose corruption and you will be punished': Radical Democrats pass 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' to criminalize investigative journalism World Net Daily, April 14, 2026 Instead of fixing the fraud problems being uncovered, politicians are trying to shut down the people exposing them The radical Left in Sacramento has finally done it. In a move straight out of a totalitarian playbook, the California Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 11-2 on Monday to advance AB 2624, the so-called "Stop Nick Shirley Act," a disgusting Democrat power grab designed to make it illegal for brave citizen journalists like Nick Shirley to expose the rampant fraud bleeding American taxpayers dry in immigrant service centers. This is nothing less than an all-out assault on the First Amendment by the radical left in the People's Republic of California. |
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Rasmussen Reports released polling results showing that 82% of American voters believe the “weaponization” of government is a serious threat to our Republic. JoeHoft.com, April 14, 2026 Rasmussen shows that Americans are waking up and now more than 4 out of 5 Americans believe that the weaponization of government is a serious threat. The use of government power to punish political enemies is a big problem for America, according to a majority of voters. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 82% of Likely U.S. Voters consider the “weaponization” of government to be a serious threat to our Republic, including 58% who say the practice is a Very Serious threat. These findings come amid reports that the Department of Justice has “effectively shut down” its Weaponization Working Group that was established in February 2025 to review instances of politicized prosecutions by the DOJ. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of voters believe it is important that past instances of government weaponization be properly addressed and victims compensated, including 42% who think it’s Very Important. Only 18% don’t consider it important to address prior incidents of weaponization, while 15% are not sure. |
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King County kept paying contractors despite warnings of misused funds Seattle Times, March 25, 2026 An anonymous letter landed in Tom Fullum’s inbox. The writer had claimed two years earlier that a King County contractor was collecting thousands of dollars to provide job training to disadvantaged young adults but wasn’t doing the work. The letter had warned top county officials that the grantee was “not active in the community” and “bragging about this money.” |
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WA GOP State Representative Asking Trump Administration to Investigate Fraud Allegations Bill Bruch, Feb 02, 2026 Washington State GOP Representative Jenny Graham is asking the Trump Administration, the U.S. Attorney General, and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate ongoing reports of potential fraud and self-dealing in taxpayer-subsidized programs in Washington state. Last week, Graham introduced HJM 4014, asking the administration to start investigating grant programs and the state agencies responsible for funding them. Graham and other GOP lawmakers are requesting federal investigations into potential fraud in WA state’s taxpayer-subsidized childcare centers, including instances in which licensed facilities received substantial subsidies despite appearing inactive or non-operational. Auditor highlights gaps in past Washington child care fund audits KOMO News, January 14, 2026 WASHINGTON STATE — KOMO News has learned of alleged serious oversight and accountability gaps at the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) over the last four years when it comes to payments to child care providers. Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy told KOMO News the agency (DCYF) lacked access to 'provider-level data' in the last four statewide audits. She said the data is needed to fully track where money is going. This comes as concerns about child care funding make headlines in Washington state, and the rest of the country. The State Auditor’s Office is currently auditing the Child Care and Development Fund, a $770 million program managed by the Department of Children, Youth and Families that made payments to 7,400 child care providers in Washington in the most recent fiscal year. WA Auditor: Missing data made it 'impossible' to track where child care federal funds went The Post Millennial, Jan 16, 2026 As scrutiny over Washington’s child care funding system continues to intensify following investigations of fraud allegations, the Washington State Auditor’s Office has revealed sweeping oversight and accountability gaps at the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), including the inability to track provider-level payment data for four consecutive years. While state officials continue to insist there is no proven fraud, the State Auditor’s findings reveal a deeper problem: for four years, Washington lacked the basic data needed to show where hundreds of millions of dollars went. State Auditor Pat McCarthy told KOMO News that DCYF’s lack of detailed provider data has repeatedly hampered audits and left billions in taxpayer-funded spending unverifiable. “They are probably the most risky of all of the departments in state government,” McCarthy told the outlet, citing DCYF’s size, scope, and the vulnerable populations it serves. |
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Colorado Made at Least $77.8 MILLION in Improper Autism Therapy Payments Gateway Pundit, April 4, 2026 A new federal audit has identified significant improper payments within Colorado’s Medicaid-funded autism therapy system, adding to a growing pattern of oversight failures in public healthcare spending. The findings, released by the Office of Inspector General, focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), one of the most widely used therapies for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. ABA therapy is designed to improve communication, social interaction, and behavioral functioning, and it has become a central component of autism treatment nationwide. |
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Massive Wealth Means Massive Corruption Joe Hoft, January 16, 2026 We’re rightfully outraged by headlines exposing nine billion dollars stolen by Somalis in Minnesota, but few Americans understand the magnitude of the problem. The Somalis are the “tip of the tip” of the iceberg. Simply put, where there is wealth, there is corruption; and massive wealth means massive corruption. And the United States is the wealthiest country to ever exist… U.S. oil and gas resources are worth roughly $137 trillion. Land value, including residential and commercial real estate, and farmland – $84 trillion. The estimated value of all U.S. natural resources, including energy, timber, and minerals – $45 trillion. The U.S. stock market total capitalization is nearing $47 trillion. U.S. Gross Domestic Product for 2025 is projected at $30.6 trillion. Our federal government’s total revenue was approximately $5.23 trillion for 2025. U.S. state tax revenue – $1.3 trillion. 2024 Federal government spending was $6.8 trillion, including Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, food assistance, veterans’ benefits, defense, education, transportation, and infrastructure, with interest on national debt – $1 trillion. State & Local spending – $4.3 trillion. U.S. healthcare spending in 2024 – $5.3 trillion, with an 8.2% growth rate. This list puts the value of the United States at roughly 320 TRILLION DOLLARS. |
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Minnesota Daycare Scandal: The Power of Transparency and Citizen Journalism OpenTheBooks, Jan 12, 2026 The revelation of widespread fraud in Minnesota’s childcare funding has engulfed public officials in the state and made national headlines in recent weeks. The fraud had been happening for years, but it took citizen journalist Nick Shirley showing viewers the scale of the grift to spark public outrage. In response, Vice President J.D. Vance has floated the idea of a new Assistant Attorney General role to focus specifically on fraud like this. Progressive Rep. Ro Khanna says he wants a bipartisan fraud commission report. Both are fine ideas, but nothing will do more to drive durable reform than greater transparency and an engaged citizenry. This is a moment Open the Books was built to meet in real time. We’ve created the most comprehensive database of government spending in history, from federal to state and local governments, so that every taxpayer can become a citizen journalist and help identify waste, fraud and abuse. When citizens can follow the money, accountability can follow faster. As we’ve tracked the Minnesota scandal, we’ve combed our database for daycare businesses that received key federal funding, as well as all daycare facilities that have benefited from public dollars. We are publishing the lists to empower every American to look for fraud where they live and demand accountability. We don’t need to wait for government. We can crowdsource our findings and identify fraudulent recipients starting today. Minnesota is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Learn the details below, download the files, and let’s get to work on the mission that brings us all together: using transparency tools to fight waste, fraud and abuse! |
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White House Fraud Task Force Uncovers 221 Fraudulent Hospice and Healthcare Providers in California as “Operation Never Say Die” Begins – Trump Responds Gateway Pundit, Apr. 3, 2026 The Trump Administration’s fraud task force, led by Vice President JD Vance, revealed on Thursday that it has identified and suspended 221 fraudulent hospice and healthcare providers. According to Fox News, the massive progress comes after just 70 providers were initially suspended last week. But it’s not stopping there. “We expect this number to grow much, much higher in the coming weeks,” a senior Administration official said. ADVERTISEMENT (HIDE THIS AD) Top Vet Reveals 3 Toxic Foods Linked to Paw Licking Top Vet Reveals 3 Toxic Foods Linked to Paw Licking Dog Super Foods “The Administration’s War on Fraud once again yields results as more suspensions take place and fraudsters face justice for ripping off hard-working Americans and stealing their tax dollars and social services,” a spokesperson for Vance said. “The Vice President and his task force are proud of these latest figures and expect to see this number continue to grow dramatically.” |
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Washington gets D+ grade in 2015 State Integrity Investigation Center For Public Integrity, November 9, 2015 Washington’s self-perception as a model state for government accountability and transparency doesn’t quite match up findings from the latest State Integrity Investigation carried out by the Center for Public Integrity and Global Integrity. Washington scored 67, or D+, which was good enough to rank it 8th in the nation.
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Washington State Laws Against Government Bribery And Corruption
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| 9A.68.010 | Bribery. | |
| 9A.68.020 | Requesting unlawful compensation. | |
| 9A.68.030 | Receiving or granting unlawful compensation. | |
| 9A.68.040 | Trading in public office. | |
| 9A.68.050 | Trading in special influence. | |
| 9A.68.060 | Commercial bribery. |
