The US Department of Justice stated the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into the COVID-19 fraud on Thursday. It estimates to have cost the government more than $8 billion.
President Joe Biden praised the appointment of a lead pandemic prosecutor. Therefore, promising to “escalate our efforts to crack down on bad actors.”
In a statement announcing the new post, Justice Department officials claimed they had already started criminal and civil enforcement actions involving more than $8 billion in alleged pandemic relief fraud.
The Justice Department says more than 1,000 individuals have charges with offenses involving alleged losses of more than $1.1 billion.
Additionally, over 240 civil investigations against over 1,800 persons and businesses for alleged fraud with pandemic relief loans totaling over $6 billion have begun taking place.
Federal law enforcement organization states, more than $1 billion in illegal Economic Injury Disaster Loans are also seized.
Kevin Chambers fills the new position of assistant deputy attorney general.
In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “The Justice Department remains committed to using every available federal tool — including criminal, civil, and administrative actions — to combat and prevent Covid-19 related fraud,”
The US Congress has set aside trillions of dollars in emergency financial aid. It is for the Americans that faced harm due to the pandemic’s economic repercussions.