Key Highlights from DOJ Fraud Section’s 2025 Annual Report
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal Division’s Fraud Section recently released its 2025 Year in Review, shedding light on its enforcement activities and focal points. This comprehensive report delves into the workings of the Fraud Section, which tackles white-collar crime through various specialized units such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Unit, Health Care Fraud Unit (HCF), Health and Safety Unit (HSU), and Market, Government, and Consumer Fraud Unit (MGC). Additionally, it includes the Corporate Enforcement and Compliance (CEC) Unit, a crucial component supporting the Fraud Section’s efforts.
Despite concerns that white-collar enforcement might wane under the current Administration, the Fraud Section’s proactive stance remained steady in 2025. In fact, several metrics reached new heights, showcasing the Section’s dedication to combatting fraud effectively. Noteworthy achievements in 2025 included three corporate indictments without negotiated guilty pleas, a significant increase from the previous year when there were no corporate indictments. Moreover, the Section charged 31 more individuals in 2025 than in 2024, signifying a commitment to pursuing justice.
Corporate compliance, risk management, and remediation efforts were underlined as pivotal areas for companies in light of the Fraud Section’s remarkable progress. The integration of the Consumer Protection Branch further expanded the Section’s reach, emphasizing the critical role of data analytics tools in uncovering new fraud schemes. This strategic approach underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in safeguarding against financial malfeasance.
Individual prosecutions were a core focus in 2025, with the Fraud Section charging 265 individuals and securing 235 convictions through guilty pleas and trials. Notably, the total alleged loss reached over $16 billion, a record figure surpassing the previous year’s total. Health care fraud charges constituted a significant portion of the charges and convictions, highlighting the Section’s unwavering resolve to address fraudulent activity in this sector.
Regarding corporate enforcement, 2025 emerged as a standout year for the Fraud Section. A total of 15 corporate enforcement actions were undertaken, including indictments, guilty pleas, deferred prosecution agreements, non-prosecution agreements, and declinations. The combined resolution amount from these actions was nearly $1 billion, reflecting the Section’s impactful interventions in corporate malpractice.
The Health Care Fraud Unit (HCF) played a pivotal role in the Section’s operations, demonstrating robust enforcement activities throughout 2025. Noteworthy achievements included charges against 194 individuals and significant convictions resulting from trials and guilty pleas. The HCF Unit also spearheaded the National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a coordinated effort aimed at curbing fraudulent practices in the healthcare industry.
Noteworthy enforcement priorities for the HCF Unit included the recovery of unlawfully obtained taxpayer dollars, combatting emerging fraud schemes, such as telemedicine and substance abuse treatment fraud, and addressing traditional health care fraud schemes. Forward-looking initiatives, such as the expansion of the New England Strike Force and the establishment of the Health Care Fraud Data Fusion Center, underscored the Unit’s commitment to leveraging advanced tools and techniques in combating fraud effectively.
The HCF Unit’s financial impact was substantial, with over $560 million returned to the public purse. A third-party analysis revealed significant returns on investment and projected cost savings, highlighting the Unit’s efficacy in combatting healthcare fraud.