TheMichigan Daily-.-=Friday. May 8,1981-:Page 7
Millions lost in
government fraud

WASHINGTON (AP)-The General
Accounting Office reported yesterday
that its analysis of 77,000 cases of repor-
ted fraud indicated the government lost
between $150 million and $220 million in
those cases alone.
The actual loss from fraud likely is
far higher because most instances gob
undetected, the GAO indicated. It em-
phasized that its study concentrated
only on reported cases of fraud that
were investigated by the federal gover-
nment.
SUSPECTED FRAUD in some of the
government's biggest programs, in-
cluding food stamps, most Medicaid
cases and most Aid to Families with
Dependent Children cases, are under
the jurisdiction of state and local
authorities.
The GAO indicated fraud in those
areas easily could surpass the fraud
found in its analysis.
It noted, for example, that it
estimated in 1977 that the government
was losing some $600 million a year in
the food stamp program alone. Most of
that loss would be investigated by local
agencies. The federal government in-
vestigates only cases involving traf-
ficking in food stamps and food stamp
fraud committed by grocery stores.
"FRAUD HAS been detected in every
agency in our review and in all types of
activities within these agencies," the
- GAO said. "Actual losses due to fraud
and other illegal activities will never be
known because most go undetected."

The fraud found in the study of 21
government agencies ranged from ac-
tions committed with the help of com-
puters to simple outright theft of gover-
nment property.
The GAO said theft was the most
common type of fraud, making up
nearly half the 77,000 cases in-
vestigated. An additional 20,000 cases
involved false statements.
The least prevalent types of fraud
found were not meeting contract terms,
extortion, private use of government
property, and kickbacks or bribes.
The GAO estimated shout 16,000
cases of fraud involved the Army and
about 18,000 the Navy. The Postal Ser-
vice accounted for 11,000 cases and the
Social Security Administration for
13,000.
The report was based on an analysis
of 77,000 cases of reported fraud which
occurred between Oct. 1, 1976 and Mar-
ch 31, 1979.
the ann arbor
film cooperative
TONIGHT JONIGHT
presents
THE ROSE
Starring BETTE MIDLER
7&9:30-MLB4
Admission: $2

Doily Photo by DAVIu MAIcS
Easygoing
While taking an afternoon walk, this mother and son enjoy a leisurely pace
and the peacefulness of a shaded avenue.

HE MOVIES AT BRIARWOOD
94 & S. STATE. * 769-8780 (Adjacent to J C Peaney)
LDAILY EARLY BIRD MATINEES-Adults $1.50
DISCOUNT IS FOR SHOWS STARTING BEFORE 1:30
A.M. til 1-:30 P.M. Sun. & Hols. 12 Noon til 1:30 F.M.
ount-All seats $1.00-Open to close

new classes beginning
May 18

ballet
modern
jazz
mime

Information: 995-4242
1-5weokdays

Dance
Theare
Studio
711 N. University
Ann Arbor

APOCALYPSE NOW (R) 11:15
TESS (PG) 11:15 PM
FRIDAY THE 13th PART 2 (R) 12 MIDNIGHT
ROCKY HORROR (R) 12 MIDNIGHT

" separate classes for:
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- aduls .tealet.sodem jazz