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$11.4 billion

The amount in unemployment benefits involving fraud the state of California has paid out during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the state’s Employment Development Department. That figure is 10 percent of pandemic-related benefits the state has paid. A state audit blamed protocols at the department for not safeguarding benefit payments.

$60M

The amount of cash the U.S. Justice Department has seized in investigating fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program payments.

$1.1B

Overpayments made as part of the Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance program between March and December 2020.

$156M

The amount the U.S. Small Business Administration loaned to ineligible businesses as part of pandemic relief programs.

$1.4B

The amount of the federal government’s first round of economic impact payments that went to dead people.

Business & Economy