Briefs

By Danielle Belopotosky, National Journal's Technology Daily

A government watchdog relied on data mining to uncover an estimated $1 billion of improper or fraudulent payments for assistance in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita last year.

The Government Accountability Office reported its findings on the fraud to the House Homeland Security Investigations Subcommittee on Wednesday. GAO found that the lack of "upfront controls" and inadequate data checks at the Federal Emergency Management Agency led to the improper disbursement of anywhere from $600 million to $1.4 billion to alleged hurricane victims who registered for federal assistance.

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