U.S. Attorney Merrick B. Garland has directed the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) to establish a COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.  According to DOJ, the Task Force “will work closely with [DOJ’s] interagency partners to share information and insights gained from prior enforcement experience, in order to reduce the potential threat to the American people and COVID-19 relief” and will “bolster efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminals, prevent the exploitation of government assistance for personal and financial gain, and recover stolen funds.”

The Task Force will be led by the Deputy Attorney General, and will include personnel from DOJ, the FBI, and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.  According to DOJ, other agencies – including the Department of Labor, Department of the Treasury, Department of Homeland Security, the Small Business Administration, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Relief, and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee – have all been invited to join the Task Force.

Read the DOJ press release here.

Click here to learn more about G&G’s private economic crime unit dedicated to combatting COVID-19 related fraud.