Press Release  Auditor DiZoglio’s Bureau of Special Investigations Identifies Nearly $12 Million in Public Benefit Fraud in FY25

BOSTON – Today, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio released the Bureau of Special Investigations’ (BSI) Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025.

The report summarizes BSI’s work and initiatives to help make government work better by investigating fraud, abuse, and illegal acts involving public assistance benefits throughout the Commonwealth. BSI investigates allegations of fraud in MassHealth, programs run by the Department of Transitional Assistance, and the Department of Early Education and Care.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, BSI identified $11,952,288 in public assistance fraud, with a total of 4,179 fraud investigations completed.

BSI’s Fraud Investigations Unit (FIU) identified the largest amount of fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), totaling over $4.1 million for FY25, and more than $1.3 million in fraud in MassHealth. Fraud investigators also completed 22 civil recoveries, totaling nearly $800,000 in fraudulent overpayments.

Notably, work by the BSI helped secure a Hyannis woman’s guilty plea to more than $140,000 in welfare fraud, and an admission of welfare fraud by a Gloucester woman, totaling more than $20,000.

“For countless residents across the Commonwealth, these programs offer access to everyday items they need, including food and medical services,” said Auditor DiZoglio. “Through the work of our fraud examiners, we continue to help ensure they operate with transparency, accountability, and equity. Our team will continue to work to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and that resources are available to those who truly need and qualify for them.”

The public can report potential fraud to BSI by dialing our hotline at 617-727-6771 or by visiting our website at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-public-benefit-fraud-to-the-office-of-the-state-auditor.

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