Head Start Scandal on Par With ACORN’s Antics
by Robert BlueyTwo role-playing investigators with bogus documents and a hidden camera walked into Head Start centers across the country to expose fraud and corruption. They got more than they had bargained for, discovering a pattern of rule-bending fraud so shocking it prompted a briefing for President Obama.
Is this the latest James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles sting operation?
Nope. It was the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which used tactics remarkably similar to O’Keefe and Giles, sans the pimp and prostitute costumes.
GAO’s undercover investigation revealed a common practice among Head Start employees: the deliberate disregard — or even outright falsification — of income documentation to pad enrollment. “Now you see it, now you don’t,” said a Head Start employee in New Jersey who “disappeared” $23,000 worth of income for one applicant so that his fictitious child could be enrolled. GAO found Head Start programs were more than willing to help its investigators falsify applications at eight of the 15 centers it visited.
The duo that destroyed ACORN last year caught flak from liberals for their undercover tactics. Media critic Eric Alterman of the Center for American Progress called their investigation “dishonest.” He wrote that O’Keefe and Giles “ignore[d] the rules of honest information gathering and reporting.”
In reality, O’Keefe and Giles’ investigative prowess turned the ACORN story into a national episode of corruption at a government-funded organization. Turns out GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, is using essentially the same tactics to expose malfeasance.
One major difference: the level of media attention for ACORN’s scandal compared to Head Start’s corruption. Was it simply the lack of a pimp or prostitute? Or was it a deliberate attempt on the part of the Obama administration and congressional Democrats to sweep the story under the rug?
Last week’s congressional hearing was convened by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) on what was dubbed “Super Tuesday” for the host of contested primary elections dominating the news. Just two Republicans showed up because others hadn’t arrived in Washington yet. The top Republican on the education committee couldn’t make it back in time because he was filing for re-election in Minnesota.
While the scandal drew coverage from the New York Times and Washington Post, those stories were buried on pages 18 and 17, respectively.
Arguably, the Head Start scandal deserved front-page headlines on newspapers across America last week. Outrage over ACORN centered on the group’s taxpayer funding. The total amount of federal funds that flowed to ACORN was about $53 million dating to 1994.
Head Start, a Great Society program created in 1965 for low-income children, received $9 billion — yes, billion — in appropriations and stimulus funding last year alone. Over the lifetime of the program, it has cost taxpayers more than $150 billion.
There are more than 3,300 Head Start programs operating in America, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. A government-funded impact study criticized the effectiveness of the program earlier this year. Given the cost of the program and the group of people it primarily serves, Head Start deserves some much-needed scrutiny.
Miller’s hearing was designed to do that. Or was it?
Even though the salacious details of the undercover investigation were unearthed in testimony before Congress, the hearing will actually delay GAO’s final report until July. More importantly, by holding a hearing on a busy news day, Miller intentionally or not avoided any coverage from broadcast media, which were tied up covering the primary elections.
Republicans politely suggested there was something fishy about the timing, especially in light of an ongoing investigation by the Health and Human Services inspector general. “It is vital for Congress to expose and root out this type of waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), “but I do not believe that any of us wishes to jeopardize an ongoing and potentially criminal investigation.”
Head Start certainly escaped harsh press coverage. Will it now avoid more scrutiny from Congress?
Miller, through his spokeswoman, dismissed questions about the timing of his hearing: “Chairman Miller’s obligation is to transparency and accountability, as well as ensuring the integrity of the Head Start program.”
But that didn’t stop his Democratic colleagues from indicating there were bigger fish to fry. “Can you tell me how much money is stolen in Medicare and Medicaid fraud?” asked Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) to the witness from the Department of Health and Human Services. When she didn’t know the answer, Scott replied, “More than the total Head Start budget.”
That’s no reason to ignore a clear-cut case of fraud and abuse. Head Start shouldn’t get off so easy.
Bluey directs the Center for Media and Public Policy at The Heritage Foundation.
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289 Comments
Hey is this government investigative group going to get vilified by Head Start and the press? Are they going to get sued like Hanna and James? Will this get investigated and then found innocent of all allegations like Bertha's World did?
The best thing about irony is it has a way of biting one in the ass.
No pimp or prostitute costumes!? Even in exposing corruption, the federal government is behind the curve.
That's how you really attract attention to your sting. Otherwise people just yawn and move on.
Why would you possibly schedule hearings when almost no republicans can be there? Can' the libs in congress even be honest about investigating dishonesty?
Just had a thought. It would be really frightening to see Barney Frank in either a pimp or a prostitute costume.
What ever became of the little pimpdaddy James O'Keefe? Last I heard he was trying to stay out of prison by copping to a misdemeanor. Seems like he should at least get some community service. Perhaps acorn could use a hand registering poor people to vote.
The Great Society needs to be put in a grave and buried alive…..
This is the case in all government funded programs – lack of oversight. For example, during my time in the drug wars in South America, seven billion dollars were allocated to the fight. OK, fine. A small part of the package was vehicles. All well and good. They do provide direct aid and service. The bad part was that no spare parts were requisitioned in the bill. Guess what? As soon a a vehicle required any maintenance, it went out of service for parts which never materialized. Probably those same vehicles you paid for are still there rusting away.
It's the same with Head Start and Medicare – lack of oversight. The bill is passed, and the funds are allocated; but little, if anything, is done to ensure the monies are spent accordingly to the law. What is needed is more agents to investigate and punish these violaters of trust by heavy jail time. Yet nothing is done. Same, same with medicare. If there were more investigators and criminal punishment for the myrid of abuses, the program would work. I once heard that it would cost more to prosecute than do nothing at all. Hey, those are our tax dollars in play here. I want the criminals punished and severely so. It just might make an individual think twice before robbing us.
Yep, karma can really suck sometimes.
In this administration they just might get put on the White House Staff
Ok I sick. More of our money down the drain and no one is looking at it. It is really sickening. It's like a bratty teenage girl screaming for more money! There is no explaining basic math to these people they just don't care, selfish.
Laws apply equally to all men. If a law applies to a private citizen then it applies to a government employee… and vice-versa. If the gov can investigate this way, then so can private citizens! If private citizens cannot, then the gov cannot. No more double standards for ANYONE.
I'm glad this fraud was discovered. now its time to FRY the bastards who allow it to happen! Better yet… start closing down these unconstitutional government programs!!!!!
You volunteering to take Okeefe out on your route with you?
[...] by Robert Bluey at Big Government [...]
Just another example of redistribution of wealth. If it's not given to you, steal it.Considering the people served by the Headstart, it's will most likely be classifiec as a racist attack on minorities.
He wouldn't want to take work away from you!
Thanks, I really needed to carry *that* mental image all day…….
They ought to investigate why after grade 3, children who went through Head Start show no appreciable difference in reading and math skills compared to children who were not enrolled in the program.
If you want to get a head start with your Pre-K little tyke, start him or her early on Phonics or Language Arts.
For all of you union teachers, that goes……
A says A A Apple short A says A!
that amount of money in relation to our population makes all these figures even worse. that is $500 per person, including babies, alive in this country today!!
http://www.prasad.org/docs/pp-fw-nl-07.pdf As the program is a UN program, is it any wonder this and more was and will be found?
MikeATrollah, you should be guilt-ridden about wasting all the magnetic media you waste–and the food you eat, clothes you wear, air you breathe…
One of the MSM's darlings, "60 Minutes," performs this kind of investigative journalism all the time. One example is 60 Minutes doing an undercover investigation of a quack who claims to have a "treatment" for ALS: http://lufkindailynews.com/news/local/article_bd0...
Another example is 60 Minutes' setting up a bogus clinic to attract fraudsters: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/115490-6...
So the outrage about ACORN being taken for a ride by two young journalists is complete crap. The libs just don't like being on the other side of an investigation. Too bad so sad.
Libs just hate being exposed. Well, some of them like it, but that's not what I meant.
Glad to know I can still make you uncomfortable there mr. dada.
[...] Read Full Story >> Big Government [...]
“Can you tell me how much money is stolen in Medicare and Medicaid fraud?” asked Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) to the witness from the Department of Health and Human Services. When she didn’t know the answer, Scott replied, “More than the total Head Start budget.”
TYPICAL retort by libs and progressives in congress today. Blame someone else. The old saw: if someone else did it, it is OK for me to do it. This tactic is common on elementary school playgrounds.
let's elect 'grown ups' with 'common sense' this November
Some people like you will do or say anything to get some attention. Sad way to go through life.
Here's a scary pic of the Banking Queen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdttzizWhCg
Project\\deflect much? Go back and look for the key pronoun.
You are one angry little dada.
By "grown ups" you are talking about electing people who will cut funding for Medicare and Head Start?
Do you imagine beating on that "dada" thing is a tweaker or are you just limited to two-syllable words now? BTW, I'm cutting your pay today, this is my last post/reply to you.
Fun thing to do when you are bored. Go through all 5000+ posts of mikatollah and mark them down. Let's see who can get through all 5000 first.
No reason to use big words when small ones will do the job… like "dada".
Hello Mickey,…………I'mmmm,….. baaack!!!!
As for your inquiry about,…………. "little pimpdaddy O'Keefe
apparently he's got a job in the GAO,…..as an instructor,…………..ay Mickey,.??????
The Great Society has destroyed more families than any other liberal 'social engineering' experiment. Getting rid of it would turn this country around.
I highly encourage everyone to read all of my posts. Mark them down if you like, but you can see by my score that it has very little affect.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh if only you knew the half of that farce,………
let me just put it this way,………….
if these programs here in the US ran just a half more efficient,…………..
hunger in the WORLD would be almost eradicated.
They should question the politics of government employees. If you are a hippie "everyone deserves a break, share the wealth" type, you should not work for a charitable government program!
By "grown ups" you are talking about electing people who will cut funding for Medicare and Head Start?
You missed by one word. Substitute "FUNDING" and insert "FRAUD" and I would agree with your statement.
But that is typical for you and the way you percieve the world.
That's because you have so many. If enough people mark them down, your score will more accurately reflect your reputation.
Well, looks like pimpdaddy got three years of probation and 100 hours of community service. I'll bet Head Start could use a hand.
O’Keefe got probation, and, probably a better job, but no comment from Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) office.
Maybe the phones are still broken.
But she still has time to take campaign contributions from BP.
Nope. It was the U.S. Government Accountability Office, which used tactics remarkably similar to O’Keefe and Giles, sans the pimp and prostitute costumes.
These outfits are usually reserved for members of Congress. Clean ones were unavailable for the GOA employees.
Well, giver er a try and let us know how that works out for you.
By the way, you might notice that I don't play that little game. I have no desire to see anyone's opinions censored.
Who said anything about censoring opinions? (Besides you, I mean).
I just want your score to more accurately reflect your reputation. Are you saying you don't want your score to accurately reflect your reputation?
I believe a retraction and apology is in order.
He got three years of probation and 100 hours of community service. He won't be making films anytime soon.
He copped to the misdemeanor to stay out of prison.
Whose side did you take in the South American drug wars?
As ACORN fades into oblivion, new groups like ALMOND and PISTACHIO are stepping up and taking your tax dollars to do their dirty work. A SHOCKING expose at:
http://spnheadlines.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-nut-...
Keep smiling!
Sure he can makes films. Landrieu can drill for some BP money for him.
From the OECD "PISA" assessment that took place in 2000, 2003, and 2006, Finland has the highest rated education system out of the 57 countries rated for each year the test was administered. The US was rated 15, 24, and 21 over those same years.
There are many reasons for this, which American educators (be definition, not the union) should study. The interesting part…children in Finland don't start school until age 7.
With a big rock on top, so it stays down.
You are so freakin deranged, you think you lies really stick??? He was charged with a misdemeanor because there was NO felony committed, you dingbat -
I think they are digging the grave themselves Lorben, and it's interesting to witness!
Not if he is smart. He needs to spend the next three years staying out of prison, not looking for ways to violate the terms of his parole. That means he's going to have to give up the whores and drugs for a while and lay low. Stalking people with a camera and bringing it to foxsnooze only leads to jail.
[...] Read more: Head Start Scandal on Par With ACORN’s Antics [...]
Are you kidding me? The guy was indicted on felony charges. He copped a deal.
Exactly jemsec – 150billion and yet those kids they intended to serve have the highest rates of dropping out, lack of comprehensive reading skills, along with severly lacking math skills – gee, makes you wonder whose pockets that money ended up in!!
Typical dem trick, pretend you are out to help the little guy and screw him over with a slight of hand -
Good guys.
Well, the Finns are simply superior people. I oughta know–I'm Finn! And with your handle, you are obviously in this superior group, too! (WINK)
I bet Sesame Street does a better job than Head Start.
And the libs have been oh-so-proactive in fighting Medicare and Medicaid fraud since–last year!!!
Actually if dingdongmika substituted the word fund with track/manage/oversee, it would have a point –
but alas, it is only interested in keeping up the thieving of the middle class, it's worked so well for so long!
Spouting adolescent drivel. Some kids never disappoint.
Ask Auntie Landrieu for some BP money, and buy some candy.
This is what happens when you give criminals the keys to your house.
I see in the article that the GAO was out "stinging" them. So is the GAO the oversight agency or are there individual ones for each program.
Cause if GAO is responsible for all of these agencies….they would need tens of thousands of employees. That kind of made me wonder about this whole op. What's the GAO doing visiting individual offices of anyone. Isn't there anyone else to do this job? If so who and why aren't THEY getting grilled? This is just another reason to whittle gov't down to size. There is no way on earth to police all these agencies. No way.
The waste and fraud really is a travesty!
What's far worse, it was proved, decades ago, that any gain these children had made, was lost by first of second grade.
Funny you should mention BP, because they do like to spread around the bucks to their favorite congress people. Here is a list from grist.org of their top ten campaign contributions to the congress. Landrieu is fifth on a list that includes 8 Republicans and 2 Democrats.:
* Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) — $73,300
* Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — $44,899
* Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) — $41,400
* Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) — $31,000
* Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) — $28,200
* Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) — $27,350
* Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) — $22,300
* Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — $22,000
* Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) — $20,950
* Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) — $19,500
It’s ‘copping a plea’, not a ‘deal’ and Rome Polanski did that, too. Then ran off, and now, everybody’s still defending him.
O’Keefe manned up, but the Left doesn’t have any men around to do that.
And there it is folks, the real unspoken right wing agenda… to shut down Medicare and Head Start.
If you want to shut down the funding for Head Start then encourage your congressional representatives to campaign on that issue. It will be fun.
Cutting Head Start (on the indoctrination of your child into the government-worshipping designer citizen) would work for me. How early do the ProgTards think they need to get a hold of the kids? Next stop, In Utero Start.
Very funny. Rush plays it often on his broadcasts.
Half of the Republicans are from Oil states—they better take that money!
Dems and their alternative energy are just hypocrites, but no one’s surprised.
Don’t bother calling Aunti Landrieu. There’s probably still that phone problem.
So you criticize Landrieu for taking the money from BP and give Republicans a pass for taking the money because they live in "Oil States"… Louisiana not an oil state? Their beaches sure make it look like they are one.
Let's have a little consistency here Willy…
You’re very touchy about Democrat hypocrisy, and you should be.
Looking out for number one may be your way of manning up, but to me it's just squealing like a little pig when you are caught. The bottom line is he committed a crime, he admitted it to stay out of prison, and now he will do his time. I hope he's learned his lesson, because the next time we won't be so lenient.
far cry from what you, anon and all the rest of your ilk were
predicting,…..ay Mickey,…??
Again children….Remember…..Mikatrolla NEVER resorts to personal attacks…of anyone….He believes he is the most moral human ever…….sarcasm ON!
Did you copy that from HuffPo? I don't know why (chuckle) but something tells me that you're being less than honest. Citation, please.
Just who is "we"?
Stop responding to the Sunstein-Obama psyops troll.
http://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2009/05/exposin...
I criticize Landrieu all the time for taking oil money. But I criticize them all. You have chosen to pick Landrieu out for special treatment and given Republicans a pass. That's hypocrisy.
He copped to the misdemeanor because that was the only charge he was guilty of. The felony wiretapping crap was just that, crap.
But I'm sure it burns your butt, since you were so all-fired excited about it.
So you're suggesting instead that it's okay to break the law and steal money from the taxpayers. I always knew that you're a criminal thug.
"the next time we won't be so lenient."
"WE" What's this "we" shit, paleface? Are you claiming the federal justice system is now part of your radical Left?
Now- how's about trying to defend the Head Start scamsters? Hum?
Try again mikadingdong, you are WRONG, no big shock there
Not really. This kid is more of a knucklehead than a hardened criminal. I figured the justice department would cut a little slack for a first time offense. We don't have enough room in our prisons for violent offenders, so parole should be enough punishment for pimpdaddy.
Yup. Because your Dems will demagogue 'em to death, defending this worthless program as "for the children." Classic dishonest liberal shitheadery.
Go ahead, pinko- try to defen that horrible, useless money pit. I dare ya. Because it seems the best you got is "You can't repeal it- so there!"
Come on…. It's not like I called pimpdaddy a moron or anything. Well, maybe a knucklehead, but only because I care too much. I'm a giver.
Yep. Unlike you children who maintain the silly belief that good intentions lead to good results.
Read it again. The citation is right in front of you.
The Dems demonize oil companies, and at the same time, they take the money. It is what it is.
Now, what special treatment are you talking about?
"We" is the American people. He was convicted in federal court.
The American people.
You need to work on those comprehension skills. At no time have I condoned fraud.
I don't want to repeal it. But we can clamp down on the fraud without destroying the program.
If Barney Frank was wearing it, it wouldn't be a costume. He calls it his "work clothes."
Head Start….. Almost all government programs begin with a conceptual idea of doing a good deed for the masses… ultimately, however it becomes a funnel to siphon off as much taxpayer money as they can lay their collective greedy hands on.
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