Oregon Launches Operation No Doze to Recover Relief Funds

Federal authorities are targeting millions in fraudulently obtained Covid-19 relief funding across Oregon.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Financial Crime

Oregon Launches Operation No Doze to Recover Relief Funds

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Should government agencies prioritize recovering misused pandemic relief funds from individuals and businesses?

The U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Small Business Administration have launched Operation No Doze to reclaim misused pandemic-era relief funds. Federal investigators are currently working to recover money from approximately 2,300 individuals in the state.

Why it matters

This operation aims to address the widespread misuse of taxpayer-funded programs meant to sustain businesses during the pandemic. The initiative is part of a broader Department of Justice push to claw back $1.2 billion in fraudulently obtained relief funding nationally.

Federal officials have recovered $16 million in Oregon since June and are actively investigating 2,300 suspected cases of fund misuse. Ramzy Peter Hattar faces allegations of misappropriating $350,000 for a closed business in Eugene.

The players

U.S. Attorney's Office

This federal agency is responsible for the prosecution of federal crimes and the enforcement of government litigation in the United States.

U.S. Small Business Administration

This federal agency provides support to small business owners and entrepreneurs through loans, loan guarantees, and contracts.

Ramzy Peter Hattar

He is an individual accused of misusing nearly $350,000 in pandemic relief funding to support a business located in Eugene.

U.S. Department of Justice

This cabinet-level department is responsible for the enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice in the United States.

The details

Operation No Doze involves multiple arrests and indictments across Oregon for individuals accused of exploiting pandemic-era support programs. Among the cases is an accusation against Ramzy Peter Hattar, who allegedly funneled $350,000 into a business in Eugene that had already ceased operations.

June 2026: The Department of Justice began recovering Covid-19 relief funds in Oregon.
October 28, 2026: Operation No Doze was officially launched.
End of 2026: The Department of Justice expects recovered fund totals to rise significantly.

Legal Context

This investigative surge follows the massive influx of government assistance distributed under the CARES Act during the pandemic. The operation reflects a wider national trend of heightened scrutiny on pandemic-era expenditures by federal prosecutors.

Residents should be aware that federal authorities are actively pursuing those who misused emergency funding in their communities. Local businesses and individuals are reminded that the investigative process is ongoing and is expected to expand through the end of the year.

The takeaway

The federal crackdown underscores that government assistance programs remain subject to intense audits long after the funding was distributed. Individuals who improperly accessed these relief funds should anticipate continuing federal oversight and potential legal consequences.