SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Small Business Administration Inspector General William W. Kirk and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General John Walk met with Adam Gordon, United States Attorney for the Southern District of California to reinforce a coordinated and increasingly forceful approach to combating federal program fraud in California.
The meeting emphasized accelerated coordination between the Inspectors General and U.S. Attorney’s Office, earlier identification of misconduct, and aggressive pursuit of fraud cases that erode program integrity and public trust. The Inspectors General underscored that they will work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold individuals and entities who have engaged or plan to engage in fraud in California accountable.
SBA OIG and USDA OIG have identified California as a high-risk environment for fraud due to the scale, complexity, and sophistication of schemes targeting federal programs administered by both agencies. This joint engagement reflects the need for heightened coordination in jurisdictions where fraud risks are most concentrated and evolving. The meeting follows the recent signing of a separate data sharing agreement between SBA-OIG and USDA-OIG in Los Angeles and underscores continued coordination across agencies to address cross-program fraud.
“SBA Administrator Loeffler has been clear from Day One that there is zero tolerance for fraud in SBA programs” said SBA Inspector General Kirk. “This engagement reflects the OIG’s independent oversight responsibilities. Our joint reporting shows that fraud schemes are increasingly sophisticated, particularly in large and complex jurisdictions like California. This engagement reflects a fresh and forceful approach to pursuing fraudsters and sends a clear message that coordinated oversight and enforcement efforts are tightening.”
“USDA OIG is absolutely committed to participate in waging the war on fraud,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “We will combine expertise and resources to deter and bring to account criminal fraudsters who steal from American taxpayers. I am proud to collaborate with SBA OIG, the United States Attorney’s Office, and other partners in California and nationwide to pursue fraud against federal programs.”
SBA OIG and USDA OIG will continue to work closely with federal prosecutors, inspectors general, and law enforcement partners nationwide to protect taxpayers, safeguard legitimate program beneficiaries, and ensure federal resources are used as intended.
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Media Contact SBA-OIG:
Andre N. Harris
Congressional & Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General
Phone: (202) 893-5308
Email: DeAundre.Harris@sba.gov
Media Contact USDA-OIG:
Carl (CJ) Hobbs
Congressional & Media Relations
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General
Phone: (202) 720-9110
Email: Carl.Hobbs@oig.usda.gov