ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Freedom Caucus has announced a formal push for accountability and federal intervention following allegations of a major fraud scandal within the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS).
The caucus’s actions follow investigative reports claiming that senior DHS officials deliberately ignored correctable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment errors. These actions were allegedly taken to avoid roughly $240 million in federal penalties.
In response to these allegations, the Maryland Freedom Caucus has issued three formal letters:
- A public letter (PDF) was sent to Governor Wes Moore demanding the removal of DHS Secretary Rafael López.
- A request (PDF) was sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins seeking federal oversight of the state’s SNAP administration.
- A letter was sent (PDF) to President Donald Trump and Congressman Andy Harris to inform them of the situation and the caucus’s recent actions.
Delegate Kathy Szeliga, Vice Chair of the caucus, stated that the situation involves allegations of corruption and the firing of a whistleblower who reported the scheme. Szeliga criticized Governor Moore for failing to treat the matter with the necessary seriousness…