The U.S. Department of Education announced on Apr. 10 that it has uncovered significant fraud, waste, and abuse in federal education programs related to COVID-19 relief funding. The department said these findings are part of ongoing efforts by the President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
The department said that weak safeguards and reduced oversight during the distribution of pandemic relief funds allowed for exploitation by bad actors, diverting resources away from students, families, and taxpayers. According to the announcement, tens of millions of dollars have been affected by mismanagement or improper use.
Investigations led by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed several instances where funds were not used as intended. One inspection found that the Puerto Rico Department of Education spent $3.9 million from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds on services that were not delivered as required and did not support student academic progress as planned. Another investigation showed a maintenance director in Boone County schools in West Virginia, along with his parents and a contractor, defrauded the school district out of $3.4 million through falsified documents and overbilling for janitorial products—many of which were never delivered.
Additionally, an OIG audit found that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction improperly approved applications from nonpublic schools for American Rescue Plan Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (ARP EANS), resulting in more than $20 million being provided to 184 ineligible institutions.
The department stated it is working closely with its Office of Inspector General to hold those responsible accountable and restore integrity to federal education programs.
