Congress of the United States ‘Washington, DE 20515 June 17,2016 PylisK Fong Inpecter Gena 33 Depa of Agree oom 17FW fie Whiten Bling {ito ndcennce Avene SW Washington DC 20250, Dear Inspector General Fons, in Api, our offices shared with the US. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a eter from the American Federation of State, County and Municip! Employees (AFSCME), which epresens many ofthe employee who administer the Suppiemental Nuition ASsstance Prozam (SNAP) in New Mexico alleging thatthe Sat of New Mexico has filed to provide staf with adequate, timely taining or clear policy directives ad aed io revalve Tissues, ination, the eter also makes alarming allegations tht New Mexico's Human Services Department (HSD) has 2 alewide practice of adng fle ast information to SNAP easels in oder o purposely delay applications, which should have received expedited weaumeat, inorder o prevent cases from appearing uttimely in data reported USDA. If "ut, this practice could have hurt some ofthe mos vulnerable ilies that urgently Feed assissnce. I's our ‘understanding that las month, HSD employees etd in font of federal Court tha this type of misondthas ben occurring sine 2003, ‘During a House Oversigt and Goverament Reform Subcommiteehering last week Food Nutrition Service (FNS) "Under Secretary Kevin Coneanzon was questioned on what tye of actions USDA hs taken in respoase tothe AFSCME. ister Mr. Concannon confirmet thst USDA fad not niated its own investigation ina allegations that HSD employees ‘ad altered SNAP applications and he sated that he was willng to recommend tothe USDA Ole ofthe Inspecor ‘General (O1G) that lunch a federal invesigation into New Mexico's administration of SNAP. We have had concerns epading New Merico’s administration ofthe SNAP program fora numberof yeas and ny ‘etions by HSD that have resled ineligible fame and children going hungry neeo be dentied nd resid We have been n discussion with your staff egardng ou interest in having O1G conde a thorough investigation ofthe allegations made in the AFSCME leter regarding HSD employecs purposefully manipulating and ering SNAP ‘ppliestion, and understand tha you are aware ofthe slleatons. Please noily our ales of sy outcomes from sry ‘vesigatvestivity as appropriate Sincerely, ‘Marin Heivich US. Senior Bub Ar 2 Den RayLsjan Member of Congress Member of Congress te Sediies ‘Member of Congress