Title
District Attorney’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Accept a grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Pandemic Unemployment assistance and Unemployment Insurance Anti-Fraud Grant (PG) Program in the total project cost of $247,677 for the period of July 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025, based on the received Letter of Intent;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the current Certification of Assurance of Compliance and any modified Certifications that may be required during the performance period; and
3) Authorize the District Attorney to execute the Grant Award Agreement and required documents, including any extensions or amendments thereof which would not increase net county cost, upon County Counsel approval.
FUNDING: California State General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On July 14, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office submitted a response to a Request for Application (RFA) for the Pandemic Unemployment assistance and Unemployment Insurance Anti-Fraud Grant (PG) Program, administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The purpose of the PG program is to provide funding to district attorneys for the investigation and prosecution of PUA/UI fraud crimes, which spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic emergencies. PUA/UI fraud crimes are violations of California Unemployment Insurance Code §§ 2101 and 2114; California Penal Code §§487, 496, and 530.5; or any fraud offenses relating to COVID-19 pandemic-related insurance programs administered by EDD, or the U.S. Department of Labor.
On July 18, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office received an Intent to Fund letter from CalOES, confirming that the agency will be awarded $247,677 in California State General (PAND) funds for the Grant Subaward performance period beginning July 1, 2023 through March 31, 2025.
Under this program, the District Attorney’s Office has committed to dedicating one District Attorney Investigator - Extra Help and 0.20 FTE Deputy District Attorney. The assigned investigator will review all referrals from EDD, assess initial case information, brief the assigned attorney, and investigate by monitoring jail calls and mail correspondence. The assigned attorney will conduct legal research, provide case advice, review search warrants, prepare for trial and prosecute violations. Additionally, both assigned positions will meet regularly to discuss casework as well as attend fraud-related training events. Operating expenses directly related to program objectives will include equipment needed by the investigator, travel and training costs, transcription fees, Leo Technologies services, and as-needed expert services from a forensic specialist. All expenses are anticipated to be funded by the program in full, as this program does not require any local cash match.
As set forth in the RFA, the District Attorney is required to obtain written authorization from the Board of Supervisors that the official executing the agreement is authorized to do so. The District Attorney recommends the Board approve the acceptance of the grant award, authorized the Chair to sign the certification of Assurance of Compliance and authorized the District Attorney to execute the grant award agreement and any additional required grant documents.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to accept the grant award, the County would be ineligible to participate in the program.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is currently no anticipated change to Net County Cost. The noted expense appropriations and offsetting revenue will be added to the District Attorney’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget via the Adopted Budget process. As previously mentioned, the project award of $247,677 does not carry any local match requirement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Upon approval, Clerk of the Board to obtain the Board Chair’s signature on two copies of the Certification of Assurance of Compliance form and return one certified copy to the Chief Administrative Office, Central Fiscal Unit, Attention: Justene Cline.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Vern Pierson, District Attorney