The state Auditor’s Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) has uncovered nearly $12 million in public benefits fraud, including $4.1 million in SNAP fraud, just a month after a federal investigation busted a $7 million SNAP fraud scheme.

For the fiscal year that ended on June 30, the Auditor’s BSI identified $11,952,288 in public assistance fraud after conducting 4,179 investigations.

The largest amount of this was found within the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), totaling $4.1 million. MassHealth accounted for the next highest amount of fraud, totaling $1.3 million. Investigators also completed 22 civil recoveries totaling nearly $800,000 in fraudulent overpayments.

“For countless residents across the Commonwealth, these programs offer access to everyday items they need, including food and medical services,” Auditor Diana DiZoglio said in a statement. “Through the work of our fraud examiners, we continue to help ensure they operate with transparency, accountability, and equity. Our team will continue to work to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and that resources are available to those who truly need and qualify for them.”

The report summarizes BSI’s work and initiatives for what the Auditor’s Office says is “to help make government work better” through investigations into fraud, abuse, and illegal acts involving public assistance benefits. BSI investigates allegations of fraud in MassHealth, programs run by the Department of Transitional Assistance, and the Department of Early Education and Care.

The Auditor’s Office also says that, notably, its BSI helped secure a guilty plea for a Hyannis woman for more than $140,000 in welfare fraud, as well as an admission by a Gloucester woman to committing over $20,000 worth of welfare fraud.

The news comes a month after the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the arrests of two men who allegedly obtained nearly $7 million in fraudulent SNAP benefits through a “criminal enterprise” out of tiny retail stores in Boston.

It also comes as Gov. Maura Healey refuses to provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with information on SNAP recipients in Massachusetts, including their immigration status. In December, the governor blasted the Trump Administration and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for the demand, saying Massachusetts will not comply. President Trump has threatened to withhold SNAP food aid from states that refuse to provide the information.

“It’s outrageous, it’s cruel, it’s appalling. President Trump has already been ordered to provide SNAP benefits. I thought it was kind of unbelievable when I saw it,” said Healey. “What President Trump needs to do immediately is order Secretary Rollins to release SNAP funding and ensure that Americans don’t go hungry.”

The Herald has reached out to the Auditor’s Office for more information.

Chart detailing the amount of money uncovered in the fraud investigation by each public benefits program. (Courtesy Massachusetts state Auditor’s Office)