More than $200 billion may have been stolen from two large COVID-19 relief initiatives. That’s according to new estimates from a federal watchdog investigating federally funded programs designed to help small businesses survive the worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years.
This was by the criminal Trump administration’s design.
I remember the debate for oversight in 2020. Democrats wanted money to go to an agency with accountability. Republicans did not.
No it was not - it was done too fast with too little oversight and lots of trust in the good nature of the people.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/27/podcasts/the-daily/pandemic-fraud.html
Trump removes inspector general overseeing $2 trillion coronavirus relief package days after he was appointed: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/07/coronavirus-relief-trump-removes-inspector-general-overseeing-2-trillion-package.html
Inspectors general warn that Trump administration is blocking scrutiny of coronavirus rescue programs: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/06/15/inspector-general-oversight-mnuchin-cares-act/
No, no, no! You don’t understand!! It was done too fast with too little oversight and lots of trust in the good nature of the people!!!
/s
It’s making the vein in my forehead pulse trying to reconcile the terms “Trump” and “trust and good nature”.
These are COVID-EIDL and PPP “loans”, which were forgiven if you didn’t fire anyone. EIDL had $15,000 worth of advances which didn’t need to be repaid if you claimed you were in a low income area.
SBA’s funding was cut by Bush Jr. in 2001.. Obama tried to boost it in 2010.
A lot of that funding was diverted from their staff so there was no infrastructure to vett the recipients claims.
That’s a borderline smoking gun for me.
