1. Large-Scale Individual Fraud Example
A Los Angeles contractor, Alexander Suker, is accused of stealing $23 million intended to feed and house homeless individuals.
Funds were allegedly used for luxury homes, cars, vacations, designer goods, and private schools, instead of homeless services.

2. Failure to Deliver Promised Services
Suker was contracted to provide three meals per day to up to 600 homeless people.
Inspections reportedly found only canned beans and ramen noodles, contradicting billing claims.
Prosecutors allege the use of fake vendors, falsified facilities, and false service records. 

3. Broader Pattern of Fraud in California
Federal authorities indicate at least 12 additional similar cases under investigation.
A U.S. Attorney stated that large sums were pushed out quickly with minimal vetting or checks and balances.

4. Comparison to Other State Scandals
Investigators and commentators compare California’s situation to Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future fraud, claiming California’s fraud may be larger in scale.
Independent investigator Nick Shirley claims billions of dollars may be involved statewide. 

5. Alleged Billions in Unaccounted Public Funds
$70 billion in taxpayer funds missing or unaccounted for
$24 billion spent on allegedly nonexistent homelessness programs
$18 billion on nonfunctional high-speed rail
$32 billion in stolen COVID relief funds
$2.5 billion lost to SNAP fraud

6. Political and Structural Implications
California leadership is accused of enabling fraud by prioritizing rapid spending over accountability.
Calls are made for whistleblower lawsuits as a tool to recover funds.
Critics argue that higher taxes are being proposed despite massive losses.

Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

1. Large-Scale Individual Fraud Example
<ul>
<li>A Los Angeles contractor, Alexander Suker, is accused of stealing $23 million intended to feed and house homeless individuals.</li>
<li>Funds were allegedly used for luxury homes, cars, vacations, designer goods, and private schools, instead of homeless services.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/California%E2%80%99s%20Homeless%20Crisis%20Was%20a%20Cash%20Cow%20for%20Fraudsters.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
2. Failure to Deliver Promised Services
<ul>
<li>Suker was contracted to provide three meals per day to up to 600 homeless people.</li>
<li>Inspections reportedly found only canned beans and ramen noodles, contradicting billing claims.</li>
<li>Prosecutors allege the use of fake vendors, falsified facilities, and false service records. <a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/California%E2%80%99s%20Homeless%20Crisis%20Was%20a%20Cash%20Cow%20for%20Fraudsters.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
3. Broader Pattern of Fraud in California
<ul>
<li>Federal authorities indicate at least 12 additional similar cases under investigation.</li>
<li>A U.S. Attorney stated that large sums were pushed out quickly with minimal vetting or checks and balances.<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/California%E2%80%99s%20Homeless%20Crisis%20Was%20a%20Cash%20Cow%20for%20Fraudsters.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
4. Comparison to Other State Scandals
<ul>
<li>Investigators and commentators compare California&rsquo;s situation to Minnesota&rsquo;s Feeding Our Future fraud, claiming California&rsquo;s fraud may be larger in scale.</li>
<li>Independent investigator Nick Shirley claims billions of dollars may be involved statewide. <a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/California%E2%80%99s%20Homeless%20Crisis%20Was%20a%20Cash%20Cow%20for%20Fraudsters.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
5. Alleged Billions in Unaccounted Public Funds
<ul>
<li>$70 billion in taxpayer funds missing or unaccounted for</li>
<li>$24 billion spent on allegedly nonexistent homelessness programs</li>
<li>$18 billion on nonfunctional high-speed rail</li>
<li>$32 billion in stolen COVID relief funds</li>
<li>$2.5 billion lost to SNAP fraud<a href="https://iheartmedia-my.sharepoint.com/personal/1112655_iheartmedia_com/Documents/Microsoft%20Copilot%20Chat%20Files/California%E2%80%99s%20Homeless%20Crisis%20Was%20a%20Cash%20Cow%20for%20Fraudsters.txt"></a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
6. Political and Structural Implications
<ul>
<li>California leadership is accused of enabling fraud by prioritizing rapid spending over accountability.</li>
<li>Calls are made for whistleblower lawsuits as a tool to recover funds.</li>
<li>Critics argue that higher taxes are being proposed despite massive losses.</li>
</ul>
Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-ben-ferguson-podcast%2Fid1386375601&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRobertoDiaz%40iheartmedia.com%7Cd55f297ce8824f6f31a808dddbf7fab7%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638908580290104132%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=RRil7WRhuVH0YkqvMtYlSMRSI71cvsxmUy24iRBm1e8%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="6">The Ben Ferguson Show</a> Podcast and <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-verdict-with-ted-cruz-56253661/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">Verdict with Ted Cruz</a> Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening
X:&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fbenfergusonshow&amp;data=05%7C02%7CRobertoDiaz%40iheartmedia.com%7Cd55f297ce8824f6f31a808dddbf7fab7%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C638908580290178175%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=toMizYItYEpQnaEde%2BnCLJEal7XzVD%2BzvBtrHUIgbc4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="10">https://x.com/benfergusonshow</a>

Hosted by popular national radio host, podcaster and political commentator Ben Ferguson, The 47 Morning Update spotlights the latest news and political headlines, with a special focus on the President's administration, policies, and agenda.

Join Ben for unfiltered insights, exclusive interviews, and honest commentary you won’t get from the mainstream media. Ben takes you behind the scenes, covering the issues shaping America today - straight from the President’s Oval Office.

Don’t miss a single episode. New updates drop daily, Monday through Saturday. Subscribe now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts—be informed, stay ahead, and join Ben on The 47 Morning Update!

Hosted by popular national radio host, podcaster and political commentator Ben Ferguson,&nbsp;The 47 Morning Update spotlights the latest news and political headlines, with a special focus on the President's administration, policies, and agenda.
Join Ben for unfiltered insights, exclusive interviews, and honest commentary you won&rsquo;t get from the mainstream media. Ben takes you behind the scenes, covering the issues shaping America today - straight from the President&rsquo;s Oval Office.
Don&rsquo;t miss a single episode. New updates drop daily, Monday through Saturday. Subscribe now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts&mdash;be informed, stay ahead, and join Ben on The 47 Morning Update!

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Now Playing: The Case of California's Disappearing Billions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/598c2505-801c-4a20-9a53-b3dd0067b27d/transcript