FBI fights terrorism with heathcare money

FBI fights terrorism with heathcare money



Washington, DC, May. 16 (UPI) -- Congressional auditors say the FBI
misused more than $300 million to combat terrorism and other problems
instead of U.S. healthcare fraud.

The General Accounting Office said the FBI was supposed to use $114
million a year from the Medicare trust fund exclusively to fight
Medicare, Medicaid and other such fraud.

But the FBI provided "minimal assurance" the money was spent properly
since it was unable to track all the funds, the New York Times reported
Monday.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who
requested the study, said the FBI's inability to account for the
spending is "inexcusable."

FBI Chief Financial Officer Joseph Ford said the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorism attacks "demanded an instant, 100 percent commitment toward
counterterrorism," but said the FBI again is focusing on healthcare
fraud.

The FBI and Justice Department agreed with congressional auditors the
agencies need tighter controls on money earmarked to fight healthcare
fraud.

.