this post was submitted on 28 Jun 2023
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The Great Grift: More than $200 billion in COVID-19 aid may have been stolen, federal watchdog says (apnews.com)
submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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More than $200 billion may have been stolen from two large COVID-19 relief initiatives. That's according to new estimates from a federal watchdog investigating federally funded programs designed to help small businesses survive the worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years.

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[–] [email protected] 46 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

This was by the criminal Trump administration's design.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 2 years ago

I remember the debate for oversight in 2020. Democrats wanted money to go to an agency with accountability. Republicans did not.

time.com/5823510/coronavirus-stimulus-oversight/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (7 children)

No it was not - it was done too fast with too little oversight and lots of trust in the good nature of the people.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/27/podcasts/the-daily/pandemic-fraud.html

[–] [email protected] 77 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Trump removes inspector general overseeing $2 trillion coronavirus relief package days after he was appointed: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/07/coronavirus-relief-trump-removes-inspector-general-overseeing-2-trillion-package.html

Inspectors general warn that Trump administration is blocking scrutiny of coronavirus rescue programs: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/06/15/inspector-general-oversight-mnuchin-cares-act/

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 years ago (1 children)

No, no, no! You don't understand!! It was done too fast with too little oversight and lots of trust in the good nature of the people!!!

/s

[–] [email protected] -3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Literally what the new York times said but ok. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/27/podcasts/the-daily/pandemic-fraud.html

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It's making the vein in my forehead pulse trying to reconcile the terms "Trump" and "trust and good nature".

These are COVID-EIDL and PPP "loans", which were forgiven if you didn't fire anyone. EIDL had $15,000 worth of advances which didn't need to be repaid if you claimed you were in a low income area.

SBA's funding was cut by Bush Jr. in 2001.. Obama tried to boost it in 2010.

A lot of that funding was diverted from their staff so there was no infrastructure to vett the recipients claims.

That's a borderline smoking gun for me.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 years ago

Too little oversight you say?

Remember that time when Dems would only vote to pass this with the condition of oversight? We even had someone ready to do the oversight!

And then Trump fired them, oops definitely not intentional

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 years ago

Trusting human nature was the first mistake.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 years ago

"Little oversight" can be a design choice.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 years ago

This response is mistaken. See icydefiance comment.