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ARTICLE · 14 AUGUST 2026

DOJ Fraud Division Issues Sweeping Enforcement Priorities Memorandum

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The Department of Justice's newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division has issued a memorandum outlining five substantive enforcement priorities that signal an ambitious expansion of federal fraud enforcement resources. With approximately 500 attorneys and staff expected by August 2026 and plans for further growth, the Division will deploy enhanced data analytics and cross-agency coordination to pursue fraud schemes across government procurement, healthcare, tax enforcement, global trade, and corpora

United StatesCriminal Law
Nicole Boeckmann
Nicole Boeckmann
Alamdar S. Hamdani
Alamdar S. Hamdani
Jeffery B. Vaden
Jeffery B. Vaden
Claire Piorkowski
Claire Piorkowski

On August 13, 2026, Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division, issued a memorandum outlining the Fraud Division’s enforcement priorities. The memorandum signals an ambitious expansion of federal fraud enforcement resources and a broad mandate to pursue fraud schemes that the Department views as threatening to the health, safety, security, and prosperity of Americans.

The Fraud Division intends to deploy its growing resources across five substantive enforcement priorities: (1) Public Trust and Financial Integrity, (2) Healthcare Fraud, (3) Criminal Tax Enforcement, (4) Global Trade and Commerce, and (5) Corporate Misconduct. Together, they emphasize the Department’s commitment to data-driven investigations, nationwide coordination, and corporate accountability. Companies operating in highly regulated industries, recipients of federal funds, government contractors, importers and exporters, healthcare

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