Summary

• DTA whistleblower warns Massachusetts SNAP fraud is approaching Minnesota-level catastrophe — where BILLIONS were stolen
• Insider describes "organized" fraud rings and says "everybody would be at collective awe" if they knew the scale
• Workers ordered to "tread lightly" vetting migrants — told not to ask standard verification questions
• DTA claims fraud is "very rare" (less than 1%) — but nearly $20 million in schemes have been busted in recent months
• Healey's agency sent partisan robocalls blaming Trump — while ignoring fraud warnings from their own staff for years

BOSTON — Minnesota's public benefits fraud scandal has cost taxpayers billions. A whistleblower inside Massachusetts' Department of Transitional Assistance says the Bay State is heading down the same path.

"I've been paying attention to what's been happening in Minnesota and in Maine and just the absolute brazen and widespread fraud going on there feels extremely similar to what I have seen here in Massachusetts," the insider told the Boston Herald in a bombshell investigation published this weekend. "And it's all very organized."

The warning should chill Massachusetts taxpayers.

Minnesota's Feeding Our Future scandal alone resulted in federal charges against 70 people for allegedly stealing $250 million in pandemic-era food assistance funds. State auditors believe the true figure is far higher — potentially over $1 billion.

Now a mid-level DTA employee is saying Massachusetts has all the same ingredients: organized fraud rings, a system designed to look the other way, and leadership more interested in blaming Trump than fixing the problem.

'Collective Awe'

"I think that everybody would be at a level of collective awe if they knew how much fraud is going on in the Massachusetts SNAP-EBT program," the whistleblower said. "It's just unbelievable how much money is going to waste. It gives you a chill to think that that money in Massachusetts that feeds people could be and currently is missing on such a large scale."

The numbers already public paint a damning picture:

• $7 million — A scheme run by two Haitian nationals busted in December
• $1 million — A fraud scheme busted by feds just last week
• $12 million — In public benefits fraud uncovered by the State Auditor, including $4.1 million in SNAP fraud

That's nearly $20 million in busted schemes in recent months — and the whistleblower says it's just the tip of the iceberg.

'Tread Lightly' on Migrants

The Herald report reveals DTA workers have been ordered to "tread lightly" when vetting migrants applying for benefits — even barred from asking standard verification questions.

"We're even being limited in the ways we're able to vet migrants applying for benefits, including with standard questions that a case manager would ask," the whistleblower said.

When workers ask migrants for a specific address, they're often told "around here" — and supervisors push back on staff who press for verification.

"Do you know how many times an interview with a migrant applicant goes haywire just because I asked where they live?" the insider said. "And that's how you're starting off a screening interview, with the interpreter also puzzled that you're getting pushback from the applicant and higher-ups at your office for asking for proof that a given address is valid."

The whistleblower traces the fraud surge back to around 2021 — when illegal immigration under the Biden administration began accelerating.

A System That Can't See Fraud

The whistleblower describes an agency where the reporting systems themselves prevent workers from investigating.

"DTA just wants us to, you know, peek in and extract information regarding possible fraud and move on. The reports are designed so that we can't look further. We can't see what groceries are on the list of transactions or other items. They just tell us it's for the investigators to look into."

Adding a child to a benefits case? Just bring a handwritten note — no verification of relationship, address, school, or immunization records required.

Real Victims Going Hungry

The fraud isn't victimless. Legitimate recipients are finding their benefits drained by fraudsters operating across state lines.

"Many innocent recipients will go to access their benefits on the day they're scheduled to be deposited to their EBT cards, only to find no remaining funds due to several bogus purchases made in and out of state to fake vendors just seconds apart from each other."

One example: "$578 was used yesterday in Pennsylvania" — while the recipient had never left Massachusetts.

Years of Ignored Warnings

The whistleblower shared emails showing they've raised alarms since at least 2025 — only to get brushed off.

In April 2025, they flagged an "unusually high" amount of benefit theft claims. The response: follow protocol, benefits probably won't be recovered.

In August 2025, they escalated a case of recurring monthly theft. The response: tell the client to change their PIN — the same fix that had already failed.

"I feel like I've been shouting from the rooftops for a couple of years," the whistleblower said. "And the answers are just so empty and insincere."

"I'd have to say that they're not giving the best effort in rooting out fraud and abuse, and I still work there, so it feels like almost a big betrayal."

Blame Trump Instead

While ignoring internal warnings, the Healey administration focused on partisan messaging.

In October, DTA leadership sent an agency-wide email announcing a robocall and text campaign blaming President Trump:

"President Trump is currently choosing to not issue November SNAP benefits that help you and many families put food on the table. You also may have your benefits further cut starting in November because of changes Congressional Republicans and President Trump enacted in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.'"

The Healey administration has also refused to turn over SNAP recipient data to the USDA — drawing a rebuke from the White House.

Friday's Sudden Policy Change

Remarkably, DTA implemented new fraud controls on Friday — the same day the Herald inquired about the whistleblower's claims.

The changes limit "self-declarations" for shelter, utility, medical and dependent care expenses. Previously, recipients could declare rent and other expenses with no proof required.

DTA denied the whistleblower's allegations, claiming "SNAP fraud is very rare. Less than 1% of the Massachusetts caseload was found to have committed fraud in FY25."

The $20 million in recent busts suggests otherwise.

The Bill So Far

The surge in illegal immigration has cost Massachusetts nearly $2 billion since Healey declared a state of emergency in 2023 — $940 million in FY25 and $894 million in FY24.

Healey ended the state of emergency in August 2025. The fraud continues. The U.S. Attorney's Office has announced a new fraud coordinator position modeled after President Trump's fraud czar.

For the whistleblower, the trajectory is clear.

"There comes a point where the administration says, 'Your numbers are all over the place and your fraud rate is through the roof. We can't fund you anymore,'" they said. "And that's exactly what's happening."

Minnesota learned that lesson the hard way. Massachusetts may be next.