FCC Chairman Investigates E-Rate Program Fraud in Minnesota

On Friday, Chairman Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced an investigation into potential fraud linked to the E-Rate program in Minnesota.

“The FCC is dedicated to stopping those who defraud our Universal Service Fund (USF) programs, especially those who exploit the E-Rate program for personal gain. With billions of dollars involved, it’s crucial that we ensure these programs operate efficiently and effectively,” Carr stated in a written announcement.

He added, “By seeking essential program details from educational institutions in Minnesota that are suspected of wrongdoing, we are taking a significant step toward properly managing federal funds to guarantee they are used as intended.”

Mr. Carr sent inquiries to three Minnesota education agencies as part of the broader effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse within USF programs related to the E-Rate program.

Earlier in April, Carr had revealed the suspension of seven individuals connected to a major fraud scheme within the E-Rate program. The FCC has recently implemented new suspension and disbarment protocols to expedite actions against fraudsters.

In a related comment, during a March policy event with Breitbart News, Carr noted that the agency’s inspector general discovered that over 94,000 deceased individuals in California were enrolled in Lifeline federal benefits.

“The Lifeline program is a federal initiative that subsidizes a fee that appears on monthly phone bills,” Carr explained during the event. “The funds are collected and allocated for various services, including support for low-income households’ phone or internet costs.”

He added, “Unfortunately, this program has become quite appealing to scammers. The FCC’s Inspector General found that in California alone, over 94,000 individuals who had died were still enrolled in the Lifeline program. Their role includes verifying eligibility for Lifeline.”