Rep. Brad Wenstrup
Possibly billions of federal taxpayer dollars intended to help Americans suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were stolen by organized criminal rings in foreign countries, says U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), who is spearheading a Select Subcommittee investigation into the situation.
“Criminals inside and outside the United States stole approximately $280 billion in taxpayer funds intended for struggling families, businesses, hospitals, and others,” wrote Rep. Wenstrup in an Aug. 29 letter sent to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland that cited a June 12 Associated Press news story.
Rep. Wenstrup added that some of these fraudulent actors were based outside the U.S. and may involve international criminal organizations.
“Estimates imply that at least half of all stolen COVID-19 relief funds went to Russian, Chinese, and Nigerian criminals,” he wrote, citing a 2021 report from NBC News.
To better understand the full scope of the problem and what actions the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken to investigate international COVID-19 relief program fraud and to hold these foreign actors accountable, Rep. Wenstrup, in his role as chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, requested that AG Garland provide myriad documents and information to the subcommittee by Sept. 12.
For instance, Rep. Wenstrup wants all documents and communications regarding metrics or estimates for the loss of COVID relief program funds due to fraud by international or overseas actors and criminal organizations, according to his letter, as well as all documents and communications regarding the DOJ’s efforts to identify and eliminate COVID relief program fraud perpetrated by international or overseas actors and criminal organizations, among other information.
The lawmaker also requested that the DOJ provide a staff-level briefing to discuss civil and criminal enforcement, noting that identifying and investigating international COVID-19 relief fraud will improve federal government response during a future pandemic and provide answers to the American people regarding their taxpayer dollars.
“The Select Subcommittee is tasked to learn from the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend alterations where necessary to enhance our preparedness and responses in the future,” wrote Rep. Wenstrup.