As Ohio officials crack down on fraud, their hard work has not gone unnoticed.
The State Financial Officers Foundation, in a recent update celebrating highlights from the month of May, touted the success of its spring meeting and praised state officials that are making government more efficient less vulnerable to fraud.
Among the officials signaled out by the nonpartisan government spending watchdog group were Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague and Auditor Keith Faber.
“We were proud to welcome Ohio Auditor Keith Faber as the 42nd state financial officer to join SFOF. His work uncovering nearly $9 billion dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse exemplifies the important role state financial officers play in protecting taxpayers,” OJ Oleka, the foundation’s CEO, wrote in an email to members.
The group’s spring meeting was focused on numerous challenges facing American families, including affordability, transparency, and “the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”
Faber has appeared before members of the state Legislature and Congress to testify about fraud.
In recent comments made to the Daily Signal, Ohio’s auditor said he is “actively investigating potential fraud” and pledged to “continue to sound the alarm and work with the appropriate federal authorities, the attorney general, state agencies, and local authorities to bring to account those who steal Ohio tax dollars.”
Since 2019, 161 people have been convicted for billions in Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse. That includes nearly $2 billion in misspent funds in Medicaid systems and, as Faber shared, “the potential for another $4.5 billion in improper payments.”
SFOF also highlighted Sprague’s work in launching Buckeye Billfold last month, which is now “expanding digital payment options and modernizing how Ohioans interact with state government.”
Other state officials receiving a shout-out from the foundation included Nebraska Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, Indiana Comptroller Elise Nieshalla, North Carolina Auditor Dave Boliek, Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley, North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner, Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack, and Utah Auditor Tina Cannon.
Referring to Faber, Sprague, and the others, Oleka said the members’ work “reinforces a simple but important principle: every taxpayer dollar matters. At a time when families are feeling the strain of higher costs, accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility are more important than ever.”
