FCC OKs Creating Enforcement Bureau Fraud Division Focused on USF, Other Programs
The FCC approved establishing an Enforcement Bureau Fraud Division to combat waste, fraud and abuse in USF and other programs, said an order released Monday after being adopted unanimously Jan. 29 before new Commissioner Geoffrey Starks was sworn in. Noting…
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bureau staffers already investigate and prosecute fraud in FCC programs, the order said its purpose "is to create a division, comprised of existing staff, that will be dedicated to taking enforcement actions against fraud in the USF and other funding programs." The division "will work collaboratively with other law enforcement entities," including the FCC Office of Inspector General, and "will consist of the individuals who presently focus on fraud cases." Rakesh Patel, the bureau's USF Strike Force director, will be division chief, joined by other bureau staff, emailed an FCC spokesperson. "It is vital that we maintain a steady eye on [USF] programs to address the unfortunate reality that, over the years, too much money that should have gone to connect American consumers and businesses has been lost, stolen, or misused," said EB Chief Rosemary Harold. The division will be established following review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget and the House and Senate Appropriations committees, and after Federal Register publication. The order said the division's creation will be a structural change, not a substantive one, and doesn't require any rule changes: "The notice and comment and effective date provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act contained in 5 U.S.C. §§ 553(b) and (d) do not apply."