HHS Adds Former U.S. Attorney for Fraud Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C.—January 22, 2026—U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) General Counsel Mike Stuart today announced the addition of a second former United States Attorney to the Office of General Counsel. Scott Brady, the former United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, will focus on the HHS-wide initiative to combat fraud.

“Ending fraud and abuse across HHS programs is one of my top priorities,” Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said. “Every year, fraudsters and criminal schemes steal tens of billions of dollars from American taxpayers. That ends now. That’s why President Trump and I appointed a U.S. Attorney to lead this effort.”

“I am pleased to announce that Scott Brady has joined me in the Office of General Counsel to help me, Secretary Kennedy and President Trump to end the flood of fraud that victimizes hardworking American taxpayers and steals critical funds from those who desperately need those dollars- our children, our seniors, working families and others,” said General Counsel Stuart. “This marks a decisive escalation in our mission to protect American taxpayers. We are launching the most formidable anti-fraud initiative in the history of HHS to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that those who steal from the public face the full weight of federal law.”

On October 9, 2025, following confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Stuart became the first former United States Attorney to serve as General Counsel of HHS.  He has placed a focus on fraud as a top priority for HHS and the Office of General Counsel, including through the investigation of grant and federal program fraud.  A former United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Stuart prosecuted two former Justices of the State Supreme Court, the largest Medicaid fraud prosecution in state history, prosecuting dozens of doctors and pharmacies, as well as taking enough fentanyl off the streets to kill more than 40 million people in a state with fewer than 1.8 million people.

“The massive scope of fraud we are witnessing represents a clear and present danger to the American people.,” said Scott Brady. “Americans who work hard and play by the rules have had enough.  I am excited to partner with General Counsel Stuart to build and mobilize the most powerful anti-fraud task force in HHS history.  The day of reckoning for these criminals is here.”

As United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania during the first Trump Administration. Brady prosecuted significant health care fraud schemes throughout his tenure, including the prosecution of more medical professionals for opioid diversion than any other U.S. Attorney’s Office in the nation.  He created the first-in-the-nation joint federal and state COVID Fraud Task Force to prosecute COVID-related fraud, which became a national model. Most notable, Brady directed the response to and prosecution of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, the largest anti-Semitic mass shooting in U.S. history.