PRESS RELEASE: Comptroller Huffines Launches Texas Fraud Investigation and Recovery Strike Team (Texas FIRST) to Go on Offense Against Fraud and Government Corruption

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Don Huffines today launched the Texas Fraud Investigation and Recovery Strike Team (Texas FIRST), a new statewide unit within the Comptroller’s Law Enforcement Operations Division built to hunt down fraud, government corruption, and financial crimes that steal from Texas taxpayers.

“Texas FIRST finds those who lie and cheat to steal taxpayer money, recovers what they took, and builds the cases that send the crooks to prison,” Huffines said. “No one is off limits.

“I am relying on all Texans to be my eyes and ears on the ground. Help us help you: If you see something, say something. Fraudsters, tax cheats, and anyone misusing taxpayer money should take notice. Now every Texan can help us find them.”

Texas FIRST goes on offense against crimes including government corruption, government fraud, sales tax fraud, and unclaimed property fraud. The team identifies, investigates, and dismantles schemes that steal taxpayer money, exploit state programs, and corrupt government — and recovers what was taken. Texas FIRST works alongside the division’s regional investigators across Texas and partners with local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Texas FIRST is the latest step in Huffines’ restructuring of the Comptroller’s office to go after fraud, waste, and abuse. Since taking office on Aug. 1, Huffines has:

• Implemented new fraud‑detection controls to block illegitimate transactions before taxpayer money is lost.
• Launched targeted reviews of major school districts to uncover misuse or unlawful spending of taxpayer money.
• Shut down the use of state grants for unauthorized surveillance tools that could enable improper tracking.
• Enforced strict compliance requirements on contractors and grantees, with immediate termination for violations.
• Reorganized the Comptroller’s criminal investigation division into a statewide financial crimes unit to pursue fraud, corruption, and tax evasion, and opened a whistleblower portal so Texans can report fraud, tax evasion, waste, and abuse directly to the agency’s investigators.

To report fraud, tax evasion, waste, or abuse, use the Comptroller’s whistleblower portal. For more information about Texas FIRST, visit the Comptroller’s website.