Eastern Carolina U.S. Attorney Forms Taxpayer Fraud Task Force

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina is joining federal agencies and inspectors general to pursue fraud against taxpayer-funded programs.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Financial Crime

Eastern Carolina U.S. Attorney Forms Taxpayer Fraud Task Force

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The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has formed the Taxpayer Fraud Task Force (TF2), uniting federal prosecutors, investigative agencies and several Offices of Inspector General. The task force will investigate and prosecute fraud against taxpayer-funded programs.

Why it matters

According to the U.S. Attorney's statement, government fraud diverts money from taxpayers and from citizens who depend on federal programs. The task force is designed to coordinate investigations across agencies that oversee healthcare, benefits, housing, disaster relief, agriculture, small businesses and tax programs.

The task force has been formed but has not yet been reported to have opened specific cases, with the U.S. Attorney's Office stating it expects to add more fraud-focused prosecutors in the coming months. Details of any active investigations or charges were not disclosed in the announcement.

The players

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina

The U.S. Attorney's Office is the federal prosecutor's office serving the Eastern District of North Carolina and is leading the formation of the task force.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI is the principal federal investigative agency of the United States, and its North Carolina Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis is among the officials participating in the task force.

IRS Criminal Investigation

IRS Criminal Investigation is the criminal enforcement arm of the Internal Revenue Service, with a Charlotte Field Office participating in the task force.

Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General

The HHS Office of Inspector General oversees fraud and abuse in HHS programs and is represented in the task force by Inspector General T. March Bell.

The details

TF2 brings together prosecutors, agents, analysts, auditors and inspectors general to identify fraud schemes and increase referrals across participating agencies. The formation followed a federal agency leadership meeting at which participating agencies pledged commitment to combating fraud.

April 7: The Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
November 13, 2026: The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina announced formation of the Taxpayer Fraud Task Force.

Legal Context

The Taxpayer Fraud Task Force operates alongside the Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division, announced April 7, which sets a national priority on fraud against federal programs. North Carolina's effort applies that priority at the district level by pairing prosecutors with inspector general offices.

Residents who receive federal healthcare, housing, benefits or disaster assistance may see stronger scrutiny of those programs as the task force increases fraud referrals. The task force's work is aimed at recovering taxpayer dollars and reducing the diversion of funds meant for people who need federal assistance.

The takeaway

Fraud against federal programs is handled most effectively when prosecutors, investigators and inspectors general share information early. Residents who suspect fraud in taxpayer-funded programs can report it to the relevant Office of Inspector General.