West Virginia’s U.S. Attorneys Create Task Force to Combat Fraud

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito of the Southern District of West Virginia and United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey of the Northern District of West Virginia have joined with other federal, state, and local partners to create the Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Task Force, which will tirelessly combat fraud across the state of West Virginia.

Fraud costs consumers up to $500 billion annually, raising the costs of insurance premiums, healthcare costs, and the costs of other goods, as well as depleting the retirement funds and savings of victims across the country. 

“My first year as U.S. Attorney made it clear to me how serious a threat fraud poses to West Virginians and how fighting it requires all of us to work together across the state,” said U.S. Attorney Moore Capito. “That’s why we joined together with the Northern District to form the Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Task Force. Ahead of today’s inaugural meeting, we held a series of roundtables with local prosecutors and law enforcement officers across our district. Our on-the-ground partners gave us an invaluable perspective on the ways fraud is affecting their communities and helped us understand where and how this task force can be most effective. By working together across district lines, we’ll be better positioned to uncover fraud, protect taxpayers, and make sure those who commit fraud answer for it.” 

“Fraud comes with too high a cost for the average American, and West Virginians work too hard to lose money to fraudsters,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “This task force will collaborate to fight fraud in every corner - from healthcare to insurance to tax to personal fraud. If you are scheming, we will find you, charge you, and convict you.”

The Mountain State Fraud Task Force comprises both U.S. Attorney’s Offices in West Virginia, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office. With plans to meet bi-annually, the task force held its inaugural meeting today at the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) facility in Clarksburg.

U.S. Attorney Capito and U.S. Attorney Harvey, along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys from each office, offered insight during today’s meeting to the work done to combat fraud every day, sharing successes and monies recovered. The National Fraud Detection Center spoke of trends, investigative techniques and abilities, and resources available to all law enforcement. The National Fraud Enforcement Division also shared information about its mission, partnerships, analytics, and asset recovery resources. 

“The Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to working with all of our law enforcement partners on the Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Task Force; we will focus our efforts within our areas of expertise and the scope of our authority to ensure that the closed loop of the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain remains intact,” said Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Louisville Field Division, which includes, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.  “DEA Special Agents and Diversion Investigators not only conduct criminal investigations, but they work diligently to ensure that all DEA registrants adhere to federal laws and regulations governing the handling, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances, as outlined in the Controlled Substances Act.” 

“Fraud schemes are becoming increasingly complex — crossing jurisdictions and affecting multiple government agencies.  This makes law enforcement collaboration essential to protecting our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). "The Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Task Force brings together the expertise, authorities, and resources of our law enforcement partners to confront fraud through a unified approach. HUD OIG is committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to detect fraud, protect taxpayer-funded programs, and ensure critical public resources reach those who depend on them.”

“Special Agents with IRS Criminal Investigation have long been known for lending their financial and tax expertise to complex investigations.  We are proud to be a member of the New Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Task Force,” said Kareem A. Carter, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office. “Illicit Financial fraud abuse and the resulting financial devastation wreaks havoc on Americans. IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners, are committed to working together to investigate, dismantle, and hold accountable those who perpetrate these malicious schemes.”

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the formation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which focuses on investigating and prosecuting fraud against the American public. This effort supports the President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole of government initiative chaired by the Vice President to address fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

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