President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order to formally launch a task force to investigate fraud nationwide, led by Vice President JD Vance. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson will serve as vice chair of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, while White House aide Stephen Miller will serve as senior adviser.

The executive order instructs the task force to develop a comprehensive national strategy against fraud impacting programs administered with state and local governments to provide housing, food, medical, and financial assistance. The order also calls for the development of anti-fraud standards such as proof of identity and other documentation requirements, as well as audits.

The order will highlight fraud in Minnesota, among other states. Last year, YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral for filming seemingly vacant daycare centers in Minnesota. The National Desk The Minnesota case has already led to dozens of indictments, including for phony nutrition and autism care programs.

Earlier this year, the administration also established a new DOJ division for national fraud enforcement, designed to enforce federal criminal and civil laws against fraud targeting federal government programs, federally funded benefits, businesses, nonprofits, and private citizens nationwide.

And locally, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced the launch of a countywide LA Metro bus advertisement campaign warning everyone that lying or misrepresenting facts to obtain workers’ compensation benefits to which a person is not entitled is a felony.

“Knowingly making a false statement to collect workers’ compensation benefits is textbook fraud, and we are filing charges against anyone who engages in it – employees, medical providers, attorneys or any other participants in the schemes,” District Attorney Hochman said. “If you choose to falsify a claim, exaggerate an injury, or create false medical documentation, you are committing a felony, and my office will prosecute you. In fact, the very buses that soon will carry this message are connected to a recent case in which a Metro bus driver is now charged with staging a fake workplace fall to fraudulently obtain benefits.”

District Attorney Hochman added: “The goal of workers’ compensation is to protect legitimately injured workers and provide necessary medical care and wage replacement. Fraud diverts resources, increases costs for employers and taxpayers, and undermines public trust in the system.”

“Medical professionals play a critical gatekeeping role in the workers’ compensation system,” District Attorney Hochman stated. “Issuing disability notes without proper evaluation or without assessing whether modified duty is appropriate can perpetuate fraud. Knowingly creating or corroborating false documentation is criminal conduct.”

Fraud schemes may also involve “capping,” an illegal practice in which attorneys or medical providers pay for client referrals. Kickbacks and referral payments tied to workers’ compensation claims are unlawful and will be prosecuted.

Further, it is illegal for businesses to operate without providing workers’ compensation insurance coverage as required by law.

While announcing the Office’s campaign, District Attorney Hochman thanked the Healthcare Fraud Division for its work in developing the campaign, particularly Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Natalie Adomian for her leadership in bringing the initiative to fruition.