The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
AUDITOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133
SUZANNE M. BUMP, ESQ. TEL (617) 727-2075
AUDITOR FAX (617) 727-3014
April 7, 2020
House Committee on Ways and Means
24 Beacon Street
Room 243
Boston, MA 02133
Senate Committee on Ways and Means
24 Beacon Street
Room 212
Boston, MA 02133
Re: Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) FY2020 second quarter report
Dear Legislative Colleagues,
Pursuant to its obligations relative to fiscal year 2020 budget language (0710-0200), the Bureau of Special Investigations
(BSI) submits the enclosed quarterly report detailing and summarizing its recent activity during the second quarter of
fiscal year 2020.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions or wish to discuss the Bureau’s work in greater
detail.
Sincerely,
Suzanne M. Bump
Auditor of the Commonwealth
 Bureau of Special Investigations 2nd Quarter Report
Fiscal Year 2020
October 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
About the Bureau of Special Investigations
As a part of the Office of the State Auditor, the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) is charged with
investigating allegations of public assistance fraud throughout the Commonwealth.The work of BSI fraud
examiners ensures taxpayer dollars used to fund Massachusetts’ public benefits programs are managed
effectively so that programs are available to residents who truly need them.
Under state law, BSI’s investigative authority extends to any assistance program administered by the
Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the
Division of Medical Assistance, which administers MassHealth (the state’s Medicaid program). Although the
Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is not included in the BSI statute, BSI also works with EEC
through a Memorandum of Understanding. As a result of BSI’s investigations, public assistance fraud cases are
referred to agencies for administrative action, fraudulent overpayments are recovered through civil agreements,
individuals are disqualified from programs for specified periods of time, and cases are prosecuted in state and
federal courts.
Working under Section 17 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, BSI fraud examiners
operate from five offices across the Commonwealth. BSI consists of three separate investigative units: the
Central Processing Unit; the MassHealth, Department of Transitional Assistance, and Early Education and Care
Unit; and the Data Analytics Unit. While each unit has its own specific concentration, there is extensive cross-
unit collaboration, and investigations often involve overlap. BSI also participates in joint investigations and task
forces with other state and federal agencies that focus on combating fraudulent activities throughout the
Commonwealth.
During Quarter 2 of fiscal year 2020, BSI1 investigated a total of 1,133 cases. Of these, 153 were
completed with fraud identified. Further detail regarding these 153 cases may be found below.
Summary of Investigations Completed with Fraud Identified
Assistance type Amount % of total
Medicaid $2,100,909.99 65%
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance $821,153.31 26%
Program (SNAP)
Transitional Aid to Families with $233,433.39 7%
Dependent Children (TAFDC)
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, $52,819.14 2%
Disabled, and Children (EAEDC)
Total $3,208,315.83 100%
1
Please note that BSI does not collect settlement payments of any kind; the individual benefit programs are responsible for collection activities related to BSI cases
settled through civil recoupment or criminal prosecution. As such, BSI is unable to report on monthly collections or circumstances that produce shortfalls in collections.
 Summary of Restitution Settlements (Civil Recoveries)
Total $415,010.81