INTERNACIONAL
Red-state auditor reports ‘explosion’ of fraud tips as he targets state employees ‘racking up’ taxpayer waste
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Nebraska’s top auditor says fraud complaints are surging as waste, fraud, and abuse dominate the national conversation, telling Fox News Digital that his own crackdown has uncovered alleged misuse of taxpayer resources inside state government.
«It’s just extraordinary the explosion of phone calls and allegations and emails and so forth that are pouring into my office,» Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley said as the fraud crackdown have become a national news story and the Trump administration, led by Vice President JD Vance, unleashed a task force to root out fraud.
«And as the media focuses on this more and more, it just makes the phone ring all the more, which is fine. We’re happy to receive those calls and try to filter through them and find out which ones are the most legitimate ones for us to pursue. But it’s clearly on the rise.»
Foley, speaking with Fox News Digital from the State Financial Officers Foundation conference in Clearwater, Florida, is sounding the alarm specifically on what he says is an issue with taxpayer money being wasted or possibly defrauded by state workers, which he has made efforts to crack down on.
«Many of our state vehicles are now equipped with a GPS tracker,» Foley explained. «We can see precisely where these state vehicles are really going during work hours and they’re going to liquor stores. They’re going into health appointments that the employee might have. They’re on personal errands all across the state, and it’s racking up a lot of expense for the taxpayers in a very improper way.»
‘MISSISSIPPI MUSK’: STATE AUDITOR’S MOGE REPORT FINDS $400M IN GOVERNMENT WASTE
Vice President JD Vance and Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Mehmet Oz spoke about combatting fraud at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex on Feb. 25, 2026. (Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images)
Foley’s office reviewed GPS data from 45 state fleet vehicles and found employees allegedly using them for «trips to retail outlets, restaurants, medical facilities, residences of relatives, commuting home without permission and other private errands,» the Nebraska Examiner reported last year.
Foley put out a press release last year documenting how he uncovered what he described as a «disturbing uptick» in alleged financial improprieties across local governments statewide, detailing eight recent investigations involving suspected misuse of public money, questionable reimbursements and possible fraud.
«I can cite so many examples of contractors that are over billing or double-billing the state, all kinds of state employee infractions of using state vehicles and state assets improperly, having contractors bill us for hours which we know they did not work, having state employees billed us for time served when we know that they were at a different place of employment, public school districts that are milking public school funds for all kinds of extravagances and so forth, but at the end of the day, the tone has to be set at the top.»
At the top, Foley’s efforts on waste, fraud, and abuse have led him to a situation that he describes as «uncomfortable,» which has put him at odds with Nebraska’s Republican Gov. Jim Pillen.
FINAL WALZ FRAUD REPORT RIPS ‘CULTURE OF TOLERANCE’ AS MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS FACE BILLIONS IN ALLEGED LOSSES
Foley has been involved in a highly publicized debate with Pillen, arguing that the governor improperly awarded a no-bid state contract worth roughly $2 million to a consultant with ties to the governor. Nebraska law generally requires public bidding for contracts over $50,000 and says the administration wrongly claimed there was an «emergency» to bypass that process.
«There was no emergency and later now they’re claiming that she brought in hundreds of millions of dollars in grant awards,» Foley said. «The truth is those grant award applications were filed by other people, other contractors before she was even on the job. So this is a very, very serious abuse and it sets the tone in the wrong way. For other people in the state government who can say the governor can do that, I can do it too. And that’s wrong.»
Pillen’s administration has denied wrongdoing, maintaining the contract was justified because of the need to quickly pursue economic development opportunities and federal funding.
«The contract was done the right way and is bringing hundreds of millions of dollars of value to Nebraska, which otherwise would have been wasted in California,» Pillen spokesperson Laura Strimple told Fox News Digital. «Auditor Foley disagrees and he is entitled to his opinion.»
Foley has referred the matter to law enforcement for further review, saying his office’s role is limited to conducting audits and highlighting potential violations.
«I’m not the most popular person in state government,» Foley jokingly told Fox News Digital, but said «we must» track expenditures in order to safeguard taxpayer funds.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Nebraska state capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska (Getty Images)
«Nebraska regrettably is a high-tax state and people know that, and they’re fed up with these high taxes, and they know that money is not being spent properly in so many instances, and they are relying on me and my office to catch this kind of thing, and we’re doing a good job,» Foley said.
«There needs to be consequences when we find these kinds of abuses, and there are. Many people are losing their jobs because they’ve abused the trust of having access to a credit card or other assets of the government, or there could be even further legal complications and infractions and jail sentences even. We’ve put a number of people behind bars because of abuse and stealing of public funds.»
corruption crime, governors, republicans elections, nebraska, investigations
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Fresh off his work to oust Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in a Louisiana primary, President Donald Trump made a call to action against Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., urging his backers to vote out another one of his GOP critics and warning the rest of the party to align with him or risk Cassidy’s fate.
«Tom Massie of Kentucky, the worst and most unreliable Republican Congressman in the history of our Country, is an even bigger insult to our Nation than Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who suffered an unprecedented loss tonight by not even being allowed to run in the Republican Primary,» Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after midnight.
«This is the first time such a thing has ever happened to a sitting U.S. Senator!» the president continued. «That’s what you get by voting to Impeach an innocent man, especially one who made it possible for Cassidy’s Senate win.»
Cassidy failed to advance in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary Saturday night, finishing behind Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming. Letlow and Fleming will face each other in a June 27 runoff after no candidate cleared a majority.
TRUMP SCORES MAJOR REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VICTORY AS CASSIDY OUSTED IN LOUISIANA
President Donald Trump points at Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has voted against Trump and Republicans during his time in the House. (Win McNamee/Getty Images; Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Trump used Cassidy’s defeat as a warning shot against Massie, who Trump has called a «grand-stander» for having voted against his agenda in the House since 2020.
«Very disloyal, but Tom Massie, a major Sleazebag, is even worse!» Trump’s scathing post continued. «Kentucky, get this LOSER out of politics in Tuesday’s Election. He is nicknamed Rand Paul Jr., another real ‘beauty,’ because of his absolutely terrible voting habits.
«Vote for Ed Gallrein, a successful Kentucky farmer, and American War Hero, who only ran because he thought that Massie was so disloyal and disrespectful to your President, ME!
TRUMP CONTINUES LAMBASTING INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN THOMAS MASSIE AS CHALLENGER FILES TO ENTER RACE
«This is a great man, Central Casting, in fact, who truly deserves to represent the fantastic people of Kentucky, a Commonwealth that I am proud to have won all three times, in record fashion!
«ED WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!»
Massie is facing Gallrein in the Republican primary for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District on Tuesday. The race has become one of the highest-profile GOP House primaries of the cycle, with Trump endorsing Gallrein in an effort to deny Massie another term.
MAVERICK HOUSE REPUBLICAN IN TRUMP’S CROSSHAIRS TOUTS RECORD CAMPAIGN CASH HAUL
The president’s attack followed several posts celebrating Cassidy’s defeat in Louisiana.
«A BIG NIGHT IN POLITICS. THANK YOU TO ALL!» Trump wrote in a separate Truth Social post.
Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the Jan. 6 election protest in Trump’s second impeachment trial. Trump called Cassidy «disloyal» and said his «political career is OVER!»
Trump also congratulated Letlow, saying she ran a «fantastic race» and would «make a brilliant Senator» after «taking care of some additional business.» Letlow led Saturday’s primary, while Fleming placed second and Cassidy finished third.
PATRIOT OR ‘PATHETIC RINO’? MAVERICK REPUBLICAN THOMAS MASSIE TRADES ‘AMERICA FIRST’ LABEL FOR ‘AMERICA ONLY’
The president’s focus quickly shifted back to Kentucky, where Massie has survived past pressure campaigns from Trump but is now facing a well-funded primary challenge in the final stretch.
Massie has represented Kentucky’s 4th District since 2012. The district stretches across northern Kentucky and is heavily Republican, making the GOP primary the decisive contest in most election cycles.
Trump’s feud with Massie has intensified over the past year. Trump called for Massie to be primaried after the congressman opposed a short-term government funding bill in March 2025, pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and opposing his decision to go to war with Iran.
«Someone thinks they can control my voting card by threatening my reelection,» Massie shot back at Trump last year.
MTG DEFENDS HERSELF AS ‘AMERICA FIRST’ AFTER TRUMP SLAMS HER ON TRUTH SOCIAL
Trump also targeted Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., for supporting Massie, calling her «Weak Minded» and suggesting he would consider withdrawing his endorsement if a challenger entered the race against her in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.
«Boebert is campaigning for the Worst «Republican» Congressman in the History of our Country, Thomas Massie, of the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and anybody who can be that dumb deserves a good Primary fight!» Trump wrote in an earlier Saturday night Truth Social post.
«Even though I long ago endorsed Boebert, if the right person came along, it would be my Honor to withdraw that Endorsement, and endorse a good and proper alternative. Just let me know, or announce your Candidacy, and I will be there for you!»
Massie noted Trump is too late to call for a Boebert primary.
RAND PAUL PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR MASSIE AGAINST TRUMP-BACKED CHALLENGER: ‘I’M GOING TO HELP HIM’
«I’ve seen people calling for primary challengers against Boebert online since she got here [Friday],» Massie told reporters after his Kentucky campaign rally Saturday. «Her primary is already closed. So they can call for that. It’s too late.
«And Rand Paul’s not on the ballot this year. You’re going to have to wait two whole years. So I think he should be mending fences with these folks, not trying to burn bridges.»
Trump began the night warning about Boebert and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., stumping for Massie.
«Word is that Rand Paul and Lauren Boebert, two very difficult, and highly unreasonable, Republican Votes, are right now in the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, which I won by 31 points, parading around like fools for the Worst «Republican» Congressman in the History of our Party!» Trump wrote on Truth Social hours before the Cassidy defeat, blasting Massie as «a disloyal, ungracious, and sanctimonious FOOL, who almost never votes for even the best of Republican Values.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«The man running against Massie, Ed Gallrein, is a true American Patriot, a Farmer from Kentucky, and a Military Hero. He is loyal, and MAGA all the way — VOTE FOR ED GALLREIN, AND WIPE AWAY THE STENCH OF ONE OF THE WORST CONGRESSMEN IN THE HISTORY OF OUR GREAT PARTY, THOMAS MASSIE. MAY WE NEVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH HIM AGAIN!»
mitt romney, republicans, donald trump, mitch mcconnell, rand paul
INTERNACIONAL
Un ataque con dron provocó un incendio en la central nuclear de Barakah, en Emiratos Árabes Unidos
Un ataque con drones tuvo como objetivo la central nuclear de Barakah, en los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, el domingo, lo que provocó el incendio de un generador eléctrico en su perímetro y volvió a poner a prueba el frágil alto el fuego en la guerra con Irán.
Nadie se atribuyó inmediatamente la autoría del ataque, que no causó fugas radiactivas ni heridos, según informaron las autoridades de Abu Dhabi, la capital de los EAU. Sin embargo, las sospechas recayeron de inmediato sobre Irán, que ha estado amenazando cada vez más a los Emiratos Árabes Unidos en los últimos días, ya que el país acogió los sistemas de defensa antimisiles Cúpula de Hierro israelíes y tropas durante la guerra.
El Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA) expresó el domingo su “profunda preocupación” por el ataque. Su director general, Rafael Grossi, advirtió que “la actividad militar que amenaza la seguridad nuclear es inaceptable” y confirmó que los niveles de radiación en Barakah se mantienen normales y que no se reportaron heridos.
El ataque se produce mientras Irán sigue controlando el estrecho de Ormuz, una vía marítima vital por la que pasaba una quinta parte del petróleo y el gas natural del mundo antes de la guerra, lo que interrumpe el suministro energético mundial. Mientras tanto, Estados Unidos sigue bloqueando los puertos iraníes como respuesta, ya que las negociaciones para consolidar el alto el fuego no han logrado avanzar.
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ha sugerido que las hostilidades podrían reanudarse, y la televisión estatal iraní ha transmitido repetidamente segmentos con presentadores sosteniendo rifles tipo Kalashnikov en un esfuerzo por preparar al público para la guerra. Mientras tanto, los intercambios de fuego entre Israel y Hezbollah en el Líbano también han aumentado en los últimos días, amenazando un alto el fuego independiente en esa zona.
La central nuclear de Barakah, de 20.000 millones de dólares, fue construida por los Emiratos Árabes Unidos con la ayuda de Corea del Sur y entró en funcionamiento en 2020. Es la primera y única central nuclear de la Península Arábiga y puede satisfacer una cuarta parte de todas las necesidades energéticas de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, una federación de siete emiratos. También es la primera central nuclear comercial del mundo árabe.
El regulador nuclear de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos afirmó que el incendio no afectó la seguridad de la planta. “Todas las unidades están operando con normalidad”, escribió la organización en X.
El comunicado de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos no culpó a ninguna parte por el ataque.
El ataque del domingo marcó la primera vez que la planta de Barakah, de cuatro reactores, ha sido blanco de la guerra con Irán. La planta se encuentra en los desiertos del extremo occidental de Abu Dabi, cerca de la frontera con Arabia Saudita. Los Emiratos Árabes Unidos firmaron un acuerdo estricto con Estados Unidos sobre la central, conocido como “acuerdo 123″, en el que se comprometieron a renunciar al enriquecimiento de uranio nacional y al reprocesamiento de combustible gastado para disipar cualquier temor de proliferación. Su uranio proviene del extranjero.
En los últimos años, las centrales nucleares se han convertido cada vez más en blanco de las guerras, primero durante la invasión a gran escala de Rusia a Ucrania en 2022. Durante la guerra de Irán, Teherán afirmó repetidamente que su central nuclear de Bushehr fue atacada, aunque no hubo daños directos en su reactor de gestión rusa ni ninguna fuga radiológica.
Ha habido varios casos de ataques en el estrecho de Ormuz y en los países del Golfo Pérsico durante las últimas semanas. Las conversaciones entre Irán y Estados Unidos se encuentran estancadas, ya que el frágil alto el fuego amenaza con colapsar y volver a sumir a Oriente Medio en una guerra abierta, lo que prolongaría la crisis energética mundial desencadenada por el conflicto.
En la televisión estatal iraní, los presentadores de al menos dos canales aparecieron armados durante programas en vivo.
En un programa, Hossein Hosseini recibió entrenamiento básico en el uso de armas de fuego por parte de un miembro de la Guardia Revolucionaria, una fuerza paramilitar, cuyo rostro estaba cubierto con una máscara. Después de que le mostraran cómo preparar el arma, Hosseini simuló disparar contra la bandera de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos.
En otro canal, la presentadora Mobina Nasiri dijo que le habían enviado un arma desde una concentración en la plaza Vanak de Teherán para que pudiera aparecer armada ante las cámaras. Dijo: “Desde esta plataforma, declaro que estoy dispuesta a sacrificar mi vida por este país”.
(Con información de AP)
inauguracion segunda edición del congreso mundial de servicios públicos 2023 – world utilities congress,visitantes
INTERNACIONAL
Maldives military diver dies searching for four Italian divers missing inside underwater cave system
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A perilous search for the bodies of four Italian divers missing deep inside a Maldivian cave was halted Saturday after a military diver died during the mission.
Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the dangerous mission, Maldives presidential spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef said.
A group of five Italian divers vanished Thursday during what investigators say was an unauthorized deep dive that far exceeded the Maldives’ recreational diving limit.
The victims included marine researchers and experienced divers, among them Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, according to the Maldivian government.
BAGPIPER DIES DOING POPULAR VACATION ATTRACTION DAYS BEFORE MISSING SON’S REMAINS FOUND IN BACKYARD TREEHOUSE
Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the dangerous mission, officials said. (Maldives National Defense Force)
Gianluca Benedetti was found dead near the cave entrance shortly after the group disappeared. Authorities believe the bodies of the four remaining divers are trapped deep inside a cave system about 160 feet underwater near Vaavu Atoll.
The cause of the deaths remains under investigation.
Monica Montefalcone, one of five Italian scuba divers who died near Alimathaa in the Maldives archipelago while exploring an underwater cave, is shown in this undated photo released by Greenpeace Italia on May 15, 2026. (Greenpeace Italia/AP)
Carlo Sommacal, Montefalcone’s husband and Giorgia’s father, expressed doubts over the accident, saying that «something must have happened down there» given his wife and daughter’s extensive experience.
Speaking to Italian TV, he described Montefalcone as a careful and highly disciplined diver who would never put her daughter or other colleagues at risk.
Search crews say brutal underwater conditions, limited oxygen and the complexity of the cave system have made recovery efforts extremely dangerous.
Divers prepare to search for four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on May 15, 2026. (Maldives President’s Media Division/AP)
«The death goes to show the difficulty of the mission,» a government spokesman said after Mahdi’s death.
HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN SUNKEN BOAT BRING CLOSURE TO TEXAS FAMILY’S ALASKA TRAGEDY
The Italian Foreign Ministry said the cave system consists of three large chambers connected by narrow passages. Rescue teams explored two chambers Friday but were forced to stop because of decompression risks.
Officials are now awaiting the arrival of three Finnish cave-diving specialists to reassess the operation.
Officials in the Maldives said the effort to reach the four missing Italian divers was suspended after the death of Mahdi. (Maldives National Defense Force)
Albatros Top Boat, an Italian tour operator that managed the diving trip, denied authorizing the descent and said the divers appeared to be using standard recreational equipment instead of specialized gear required for technical cave diving, its lawyer told Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Saturday.
The Maldives Tourism Ministry has suspended the operating license of the expedition vessel involved in the trip as the investigation continues.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Experts warn cave diving is among the world’s most dangerous underwater activities, especially at extreme depths where visibility can disappear instantly and escape routes become limited.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
world, extreme travel, travel, asia world regions, italy
Carlos Melconian: “Hoy estamos con una afluencia de dólares que evita una crisis, pero no hay que despilfarrarlos”
El gol en contra más insólito de la historia: la pelota pegó en un jugador lesionado, hizo una extraña parábola y se metió en el arco
Martín Llaryora anunció una inversión de 2 mil millones de pesos en educación técnica
Gigantes de Wall Street recalculan su estrategia para Argentina: qué acciones recomiendan
Cristiano Ronaldo perdió otra final y se le niega el título oficial
Trump calls out Rep Thomas Massie: ‘Kentucky, get this LOSER out of politics’ Tuesday
¡TERROR EN SAN MARTÍN! Motochorros asaltaron a una madre con su hijo: la desidia del Intendente y el Gobernador deja a los vecinos a la deriva
Un testigo declaró que Adorni le pagó US$21000 por 18 meses de alquiler de una casa en Indio Cua
Marcela Pagano respondió a los agravios de Milei, que la había tildado de “cerda”
La Justicia detectó movimientos por más de US$100.000 en las billeteras virtuales de Manuel Adorni
POLITICA2 días agoMarcela Pagano respondió a los agravios de Milei, que la había tildado de “cerda”
- POLITICA1 día ago
La Justicia detectó movimientos por más de US$100.000 en las billeteras virtuales de Manuel Adorni
- ECONOMIA2 días ago
La inflación fue de 2,6% en abril y acumuló 32,4% en los últimos doce meses
