September 24, 2026

GSA, HHS Uncover $1.2 Billion in Suspected COVID-Related Contract Fraud at Direction of White House Task Force

The White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud Identifies Five COVID-era “Emergency” Contracts Disbursing Money Years After Pandemic End

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is announcing that it has identified more than $1.2 billion in suspected fraud across five COVID-related contracts as part of its collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the direction of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

Although the COVID-19 national emergency ended in 2023 and related GSA acquisition flexibilities were cancelled later that year, certain federal contractors continued to receive funds. 

“The COVID emergency ended over three years ago, yet fraudsters continue to weaponize outdated emergency contracts to abuse taxpayer dollars. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Vance’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, GSA uncovered $1.22 billion in suspected fraud across five HHS COVID-era contracts,” said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst. “GSA will continue to work with the Vice President’s task force to stop improper payments, refer suspected fraud to law enforcement, and fight to recover every dollar.”

“Working with GSA and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, HHS uncovered $1.2 billion in suspected fraud across just five COVID-era contracts,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are following the money, exposing suspected wrongdoing, referring cases to law enforcement, and fighting to recover taxpayer dollars. Under President Trump, HHS will hold those who abuse taxpayer funds accountable and strengthen our safeguards to prevent it from happening again.”

“The COVID emergency ended in 2023. The emergency contract advantage didn’t — until now,” said White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud Executive Director Scott Brady. “GSA’s review uncovered $1.22 billion in suspected fraud and stopped $41 million more across five HHS COVID-era contracts that kept the emergency label alive long after the emergency was gone. Emergency authority is a privilege, not a blank check. We’re not after the honest contractors who did real pandemic work — we’re after the leftover contracts hiding behind a crisis that no longer exists. The emergency is over. So is the free pass.”

The announcement follows GSA’s late-August finding of more than $13 billion in suspected contractor fraud, marking another step in the agency’s expanded effort to detect, stop, and refer potential procurement fraud across federal contracts under the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Vance.

Exclusive coverage by Fox News can be found HERE.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing approximately 360 million rentable square feet, overseeing over $126 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services to millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver exceptional customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology. To address nearly $50 billion in delinquent maintenance, GSA is leading a coalition of every cabinet agency and many federal leaders urgently advocating for full Federal Buildings Fund access and raising the prospectus threshold from $3.96 million to $75 million. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow @USGSA.