Collaboration Marks New Era in Stopping Unemployment Insurance Fraud — Department of Labor, May 13, 2026

Summary

This is a May 13, 2026 press release from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, announcing a partnership between the department and its Office of Inspector General in furtherance of an Executive Order, "Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud." Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling and Inspector General Anthony P. D'Esposito are quoted. The release says California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania are among the most problematic state unemployment-insurance programs and combined are responsible for paying out nearly $19 billion annually in benefits. It states that in fiscal year 2025 these six states issued more than $2.6 billion in improper benefits, including over $1.2 billion in fraudulent payments.

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“Collaboration Marks New Era in Stopping Unemployment Insurance Fraud — Department of Labor, May 13, 2026.” Original at www.oig.dol.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2026-05-13-u-s-department-of-labor-office-of-the-inspector-general-col-0968df6b1f/, SHA-256 659390dd05b349eb40887944cc795adf28f8ee4826e2ef9b95e23e04259a234a.

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Press Releases

US Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General Collaboration Marks New Era in Stopping Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Joint team will improve accountability, address fraud concerns nationwide

May 13, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor and its Office of Inspector General has
announced a partnership in furtherance of President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order,
"Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud."

Under the leadership of Vice President JD Vance, the department and the OIG will work
together to safeguard American taxpayers and address widespread fraud and performance
concerns related to the unemployment insurance programs administered across the country.

"Unemployment-insurance systems nationwide face significant financial and performance
failures. For too long, these problems have gone unchallenged. That ends now," said Acting
Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. "The Department of Labor is working alongside OIG
agents to investigate potential fraud and misuse. Our mission is clear: Restore accountability
and safeguard workers and taxpayers."

This multi-agency partnership within the department demonstrates an unparalleled level of
collaboration with the OIG with department program offices and its independent watchdog
working shoulder-to-shoulder to stop fraud before taxpayer dollars are put at risk.

"We're taking a proactive approach by working directly with the strike teams deployed by the
department's Employment and Training Administration - providing data and analytical
capabilities and support, placing investigators at the front lines where the threat begins.
Together with the acting secretary, we are committed to a zero-tolerance mission: ensuring
not one fraudulent dollar leaves the building," said U.S. Department of Labor Inspector
General Anthony P. D'Esposito.

"This partnership gives us a direct line to Vice President Vance's 'Task Force to Eliminate
Fraud,' supercharging our investigations and prosecutions to deliver faster, stronger justice
and put fraudsters behind bars," D'Esposito added.

Acting Secretary Sonderling and Inspector General D'Esposito both serve on the 'Task Force
to Eliminate Fraud,' which is committed to fighting fraud, closing loopholes, enforcing
eligibility rules, and protecting benefits for eligible Americans, while ensuring states
administering unemployment insurance benefits do the same.

"Acting Secretary Sonderling and Inspector General D'Esposito are invaluable partners.
Today's announcement is a critical step toward stopping the theft from American taxpayers,"
said Task Force Executive Director Scott Brady.

The resources and executive commitment dedicated by President Trump and Vice President
Vance significantly enhance the resources provided to the DOL Office of Unemployment
Insurance within ETA and the investigative capacity of OIG, ensuring those who exploit
federal benefit programs are held accountable under the law.
Some of the most problematic state unemployment-insurance programs include California,
Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. These six states combined
are responsible for paying out nearly $19 billion annually in unemployment-insurance
benefits.

In fiscal year 2025 alone, these six states issued more than $2.6 billion in improper
unemployment-insurance benefits, including over $1.2 billion in fraudulent payments.
Additionally, in fiscal year 2025, California, Massachusetts, and New York topped the list of
states with the most fraud exposure.

For additional information on DOL OIG, please visit oig.dol.gov . If you suspect wrongdoing
involving DOL programs or operations, contact the DOL-OIG Hotline at (800) 347-3756 or oig.dol.gov/hotlinecontact.htm .

Download Press Release .

For Media Inquiries:

LaborOIGinfo@oig.dol.gov

(202) 693-7100

X: @DOLOIG

Instagram: @usdoloig

Facebook: @usdoloig

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