Trump Administration Awards $1.5 Million to AG’s Office to Crack Down on Fraud, Trafficking

Combat drug trafficking, human trafficking, health care fraud, and illegal aliens in the Commonwealth.

FRANKFORT, Ky.  – Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has announced the Office has received more than $1.5 million through a competitive federal grant from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).

Attorney General Coleman will hire additional state-level prosecutors who will also be designated as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSA). These new prosecutors will be able to bring the full weight of both the state and federal governments to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking, health care fraud, and illegal aliens in the Commonwealth.

“Effective law enforcement happens when we tear down silos and multiply our forces in the pursuit of protecting Kentucky families,” said Attorney General Coleman. “These resources will further strengthen our partnership with the Vice President’s Task Force and our outstanding partners across the Trump Administration to go after criminals and keep our Commonwealth safe.”  

“The Trump Administration is committed to cracking down on crime, especially health care fraud committed by illegal aliens from foreign countries,” said Scott Brady, Executive Director of White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. “By working with my friend AG Coleman and the United States Attorneys in Kentucky, we can create a safer America for everyone.”

“We are proud of our partnership with Attorney General Coleman and thank him for being among the first in the nation to join our Special Attorneys Grant Program,” said Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “We look forward to these new resources bolstering the state and federal prosecutors working every day for Kentucky.” 

“Collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office has directly resulted in stronger prosecutions and safer communities. Adding another prosecutor means we can take on more cases, track down more criminals and protect more Kentucky families,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky Kyle Bumgarner.  

“From violent crime to benefits fraud, to deadly drug cases, we are consistently working with our partners in the AG’s Office to deliver the best possible outcomes. This federal grant will make us more effective at our mission: keeping your family safe,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky Jason Parman.

Over the last five years, the Eastern District of Kentucky has ranked among the top 20 of United State Attorney’s Offices in drug trafficking cases and health care fraud cases. Since President Trump’s inauguration, the Western District's indictments have increased by over 50% with the district ranking 1^st in the country among mid-sized districts in drug trafficking prosecutions and 3^rd in the country among mid-sized districts in white collar fraud prosecutions.

The Eastern District covers 67 counties with offices in Lexington, London, Ashland, Covington, and Frankfort. The Western District covers 53 counties and two military bases, Fort Knox and Fort Campbell. It has offices in Louisville, Paducah, Owensboro, and Bowling Green.