In a recent investigation, The Department of Government Oversight and Ethics (DOGE) uncovered significant misconduct in unemployment insurance claims managed by three Democrat-led states.
The findings reveal $382 million improper payments since 2020, highlighting concerns about the ongoing influence of certain progressive policies, Breitbart reported.
The investigation by DOGE pinpointed California, New York, and Massachusetts as the main sources of these improper unemployment claims, with these states accounting for a combined $305 million of the total fraudulent claims.
A DOGE survey revealed some astounding findings: claimants reportedly over 115 years old received $59 million. Additionally, supposed claimants between one and five years old collected $254 million. The Department’s inquiry uncovered that individuals who claimed birth dates more than 15 years in the future unjustly received $69 million.
In another shocking instance of attempted fraud, officials reported that someone born in the year 2154 successfully claimed $41,000 in unemployment benefits.
These findings highlight how fraudsters exploit vulnerabilities in the unemployment system, with the most egregious cases occurring in progressive states known for their relaxed policies.
Antonio Gracias, an official with DOGE, voiced concerns over the misuse of benefits saying, “We looked at voter rolls and we found that thousands are registered to vote in friendly states. And we looked even further in those friendly states and found that many of those people had actually voted. It was shocking to us. If I hadn’t seen this with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it… it is shockingly bad.”
The investigation called attention to California, which represents a disproportionately high percentage of improperly allocated benefits, specifically 68% of the unemployment benefits to parolees linked to criminal records or involved with the terrorist watchlist.
This state, along with New York and Massachusetts, is scrutinized for its allowance of benefits to unverified claimants, raising questions about the adequacy of oversight and policy implementation.
Furthermore, DOGE official Antonio Gracias brought to light issues pertaining to voter registration among migrants. Many migrants who came to the U.S. during former President Biden’s tenure are now on Medicaid and have appeared on voter rolls.
In some instances, these migrants were not only registered but also voted in various "friendly states.” This brings additional focus on how progressive immigration policies may intersect with fraud opportunities.
Social media reactions expressed skepticism about the states with well-known sanctuary city policies coinciding with the highest incidences of fraudulent claims. One skeptic commented, “So the 3 states with the most notorious sanctuary cities in the nation claimed the most unemployment benefits, fraudulently?”
Harrison Fields, a spokesperson from the White House, emphasized ongoing dissatisfaction with economic management in these states. He noted the movement of residents from states affected by high taxes and perceived fiscal mismanagement to areas under Republican leadership.
According to Fields, DOGE's efforts highlight the broader public sentiment favoring accountability and sound fiscal policy practices. One social media observer critiqued the current policies by suggesting that "big government creates big waste."
Fields’ comments underscore the growing divide in economic philosophies between the states examined in DOGE's report and those praised for their fiscal discipline.
DOGE's revelation of $382 million in fraudulent unemployment claims exposes significant gaps in the policies and systems of Democrat-run states like California, New York, and Massachusetts. The data points to irregularities involving implausible birthdates and links between progressive policies and potential fraud. Amid these findings, public discourse remains charged, with some viewing this as a call for policy overhaul and better governance.
