Owens Supports Legislation to Combat Unchecked Unemployment Fraud, Abuse of Taxpayer Dollars

Press Release

Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) co-sponsored the Chase COVID Unemployment Fraud Act of 2022, legislation to prevent fraud in COVID unemployment programs, recover paid benefits, and provide relief for American taxpayers and victims of unemployment fraud.

Unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest theft of taxpayer dollars in American history. Criminal organizations, including international cybercrime rings and opportunistic foreign actors, exploited a national crisis to steal billions from taxpayers. Unemployment fraud has left taxpayers on the hook for $163 billion (and counting), with only about $4 billion being recovered to date.

"It is imperative that we account for every single dollar of the $5 trillion of COVID-19 relief funding," said Rep. Owens. "At a time when Americans are facing 40-year high inflation, supply chain disruptions, and unaffordable energy prices, any mismanagement of taxpayer funds is unacceptable. I am proud to support the Chase COVID Unemployment Fraud Act of 2022 to punish fraudsters, strengthen cybersecurity, and safeguard Utahns' hard-earned tax dollars."

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