Newt’s World – Episode 195: Washington State’s $600 Million Nigerian Fraud Scheme

Suzi LeVine is Biden’s top pick for acting assistant secretary at the Employment and Training Administration, part of the Labor Department. She was deeply involved in the Washington State unemployment fraud scheme that cost her state over $600 million to a Nigerian fraud ring.  Newt’s guest is John Carlson, radio host for 570 KVI in Seattle.

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Guest: John Carlson

Scattered Canary

Scattered Canary Threat Dossier – Agari Security

Scattered Canary Cybercrime Ring Exploits the COVID-19 Pandemic with Fraudulent Unemployment and CARES Act Claims – Agari Security

A Nigerian Crime Ring Siphoned Millions of Dollars from US Unemployment Programs Amid COVID-19 Shutdowns, Officials Say – Business Insider

Washington Unemployment Scandal

How Democratic Party Fundraiser and Former Ambassador Suzi LeVine Came to Run Washington State’s Embattled Unemployment System – Seattle Times

Commissioner Suzi LeVine to Depart the Employment Security Department at the End of January to Join the Biden-Harris Administration – Washington State Employment Security Department

Biden Pick to Run Unemployment Program Oversaw $600M in Losses to Nigerian Fraud Scheme – Fox News

Joe Biden’s Choice To Oversee COVID Unemployment Benefits Lost $600 Million In Coronavirus Relief To Nigerian Scammers – DailyWire

Washington Halts Unemployment Payments for 2 Days After Finding $1.6 million in Fraudulent Claims Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – Seattle Times

How Missed ‘Red Flags’ Helped Nigerian Fraud Ring ‘Scattered Canary’ Bilk Washington’s Unemployment System Amid Coronavirus Chaos – Seattle Times

Feds Say Early Warning to Washington Agency Didn’t Curb Unemployment Fraud – King 5 News Seattle

It Took Washington 2 Months to Stop Unemployment Claim Fraud – Governing

Memo Shows Conflict Between Washington Employment Agency and State Auditor’s Office – Big County News

Financial Statements Audits Report State of Washington – December 18, 2020

Letter to LeVine from Office of the Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy – October 20, 2020