COLUMBIA, S.C. — State Senator Wes Climer, joined by Senators Michael Johnson, Danny Verdin, Billy Garrett, and Everett Stubbs, has formally requested a comprehensive fraud risk assessment of South Carolina’s public assistance programs, warning that the state must act now to prevent the kind of large-scale abuse seen elsewhere.
In a letter to the Legislative Audit Council, the senators called for a top-to-bottom review of programs distributing federal and state funds, with a focus on identifying vulnerabilities, strengthening oversight, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are protected.
The request comes as national attention has focused on massive fraud schemes in Minnesota, where investigators and lawmakers have pointed to systemic failures in oversight. Federal prosecutors uncovered hundreds of millions in fraudulent activity tied to public programs, and broader estimates suggest total exposure across multiple programs could reach as high as $9 billion.
Climer said South Carolina has an opportunity to act before similar problems take hold.
“We don’t wait for a scandal to clean up government. We prevent it,” Climer said. “What happened in Minnesota is what failure looks like. It’s failure of oversight, failure of accountability, and failure to respect the taxpayer. We are not going to let that happen here.”
The letter outlines specific steps for the audit, including identifying high-risk programs, reviewing verification processes, evaluating internal controls, and recommending reforms to ensure funds reach their intended recipients.
Climer emphasized that the effort is not about targeting any one group or program, but about restoring confidence in government.
“This is about protecting the people of South Carolina,” Climer said. “Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken from a family, a taxpayer, or a critical service. Government has a responsibility to be a good steward, and right now, we’re making sure it is.”
The senators noted that many public assistance programs rely on self-reporting and fragmented oversight, creating openings for abuse if not properly monitored.
“Government works best when it is disciplined, transparent, and accountable,” Climer added. “We are putting those principles into action. South Carolinians deserve to know their money is being handled the right way.”
The Legislative Audit Council is expected to review the request and determine next steps.