Federal Government Policy and Business

Watchdogs Tackling Tens of Thousands of Fraud Allegations as Feds Disburse COVID Relief Funds: 'It's All Hands on Deck'

Government Executive: The Small Business Administration remains at risk for widespread fraud as it doles out relief funds and begins the process of forgiving loans related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, two auditors said on Thursday, and the agency is going to “extreme” measures to prevent proper oversight.

Onlookers have flagged tens of thousands of allegations of fraud related to the $669 billion Paycheck Protection Program and other initiatives Congress authorized in response to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, SBA Inspector General Mike Ware told lawmakers, and the watchdog has launched hundreds of investigations. SBA oversaw a chaotic rollout to the unprecedented PPP, and Ware said the rush to get the relief dollars out the door widened opportunities for fraudulent activities.

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