Fraud Crackdown

⏱ 2 min read

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US Attorney Ron Parsons and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley held a joint press conference to announce new initiatives to combat government fraud. The goal is to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure government program funding goes to those in need, while prosecuting those who steal from state, federal, or tribal governments. The joint effort aims to detect, root out, and prosecute fraudulent conduct, often relying on tips and leads from employees, contractors, and concerned citizens.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal government loses an estimated $233 billion to $521 billion every year to fraud, representing 3% to 7% of total federal spending. Since 2003, cumulative improper payments have totaled approximately $2.8 trillion. In fiscal year 2024 alone, 16 federal agencies reported $162 billion in improper payments across 68 programs.

Parsons emphasized that fraud is not a mistake, but rather a deliberate act of stealing from the American taxpayer. Jackley reiterated his commitment to holding offenders accountable and ensuring a transparent state government. The joint initiative demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated enforcement across multiple agencies, as seen in the federal multi-agency crackdown on benefit fraud in Minnesota, which resulted in charges against 98 defendants and 64 convictions to date.

The collaboration between the US Attorney’s Office and the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office sends a strong message to those who would attempt to defraud the government: they will be held accountable. As the initiative moves forward, it is likely to have a significant impact on reducing government fraud in South Dakota and beyond.