United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced on Mar. 26 the creation of a Benefit and Voter Fraud Team to address increasing incidents of fraud in Massachusetts. The new team will focus on investigating and prosecuting cases involving benefit fraud, such as SNAP, MassHealth, childcare subsidy, and voter fraud.
The initiative aims to respond to what officials describe as widespread fraudulent activity affecting state resources and public trust. A hotline has been established for the public to report suspected benefit fraud at 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
Foley said the District of Massachusetts will support broader federal efforts against fraud through independent investigations led by this team, working alongside the Vice President’s Anti-Fraud Task Force and the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip Mallard and Mark Grady have been named coordinators for the new unit. Mallard will oversee district-wide efforts with multiple federal agencies, while Grady will supervise investigations and prosecutions within the office. “Both Phil and Mark are seasoned federal prosecutors who each bring tremendous assets to the Fraud Team. With a combined 40+ years of prosecutorial experience, they will hit the ground running and make a lasting impact on the widespread and prolific benefit fraud we are seeing across the state,” said Foley.
Since December 2025, Foley’s office has charged fifteen individuals with nearly $9 million in alleged fraudulent activity involving programs like SNAP benefits and MassHealth. Earlier in March, charges were brought against nine people—including a Dominican national accused of stealing almost $300,000 in various benefits using stolen identities—after data showed some recipients collecting benefits simultaneously from multiple states post-COVID.
“It has become apparent that there are insufficient guardrails in place in Massachusetts to address the rampant benefit fraud across the state. It is time to hold criminals stealing taxpayer benefits accountable. This has gone on far too long and the buck stops with me,” said Foley.
The Benefit and Voter Fraud Team will collaborate with several federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations New England; U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General; Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office; among others.
“This is the tip of the iceberg,” said Foley about ongoing investigations into benefit misuse statewide.