Shock Report: TARP Fraud Grows, Feds Admit Taxpayers ‘Will Never Get Back’ Billions of Dollars
- Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:32am by
Becket Adams
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Christy Romero, Deputy Special Inspector General and acting Special Inspector General for the federal bailout program known as TARP (SIGTARP.gov)
U.S. taxpayers are still owed nearly $133 billion that companies haven’t repaid from the financial bailout, according to a quarterly Special Inspector General Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) report. The report also states that as of December 31, 2011, the Treasury has “written off $4.2 billion and realized losses of $7.8 billion that the taxpayer will never get back,“ and that it ”predicts losses on other TARP investments.”
But perhaps this shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, some programs were designed as a “Government subsidy with no return to taxpayers,” according to the report.
Of the $700 billion Congress authorized for the bailout of financial companies and automakers, also known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), approximately $413 billion has been lent. Of the $413 billion, the government has allegedly recovered about $318 billion, or about 77 percent of it, according to the Associated Press.
However, although 77 percent sounds pretty good, keep in mind that the TARP bailouts, which were launched at the height of the financial crisis in September 2008, will continue to exist for years.
According to SIGTARP report:
TARP programs that support the housing market and certain securities markets are scheduled to last until as late as 2017, and Treasury can spend an additional $51 billion on these programs during those years.
“TARP is not over,” Christy Romero, the acting special inspector general for the $700 billion bailout, said in a recent statement.
But perhaps even more troubling than the prospect of the continuation of the bailouts or the massive amounts of taxpayer dollars being “written off” is the fact that SIGTARP continues to uncover TARP-related fraud.
While the mainstream media has kept itself busy reporting that a large chunk of the TARP money has been returned, it has failed to report that the known instances of TARP-related fraud has increased since SIGTARP’s January 2011 report.
Consider the following [all emphases added]:
Jan. 2011: “As of December 31, 2010, SIGTARP had 142 ongoing criminal and civil investigations…”
Jan. 2012: “As of December 31, 2011, SIGTARP had more than 150 ongoing criminal and civil investigations…”Jan. 2011: There were “criminal convictions of 13 defendants for fraud”
Jan. 2012: There were “criminal convictions of 31 defendants, of whom 22 have been sentenced to prison (others are awaiting sentencing)”Jan. 2011: SIGTARP reported “civil or criminal actions against 45 individuals to date, including 22 senior officers (Chief Executive Officers, owners, founders, or senior executives)”
Jan. 2012: SIGTARP reported “criminal actions against 61 individuals, including 45 senior officers (CEOs, owners, founders, or senior executives) of their organizations)”Jan. 2011: There were 12 “civil cases naming…corporate entities as defendants”
Jan. 2012: There were 18 “civil cases naming…corporate or other legal entities as defendants…”
Now, to be clear, SIGTARP reports are released quarterly and the above is an annual comparison. However, whether it’s a matter of 3 or 12 months, the increase in known TARP fraud is still troublesome. And while it’s laudable that SIGTARP has prosecuted and convicted a good number of these financial thieves, it is unsettling to see that that number continues to grow with each report.
It would seem that FBI Director Robert Mueller was correct when he predicted that TARP fraud would become the “next wave of financial fraud cases.”
But before we get lost in these numbers, let’s revisit that part about companies who have yet to repay their debts. Who still owes?
“Among the largest bailed-out companies, American International Group Inc. [AIG] still owes taxpayers around $50 billion, General Motors Co. owes about $25 billion and Ally Financial Inc. about $12 billion,” the AP reports.
General Motors Co. still owes about $25 billion? That’s odd. It seems that just yesterday someone was touting the Detroit auto manufacturer as the very model of economic success.
Where does that put us? Billions of taxpayer dollars “written off” and an increase in known instances of TARP fraud. Is there any other bad news in the SIGTARP report?
Actually, there is.
“Treasury bailed out companies in the form of loans. It converted its loans to some of the biggest recipients into common shares in those companies,” the AP reports. “Those shares are now trading below Treasury’s break-even prices.”
What does this mean?
“For Treasury to sell its stock in the largest recipients at the price where taxpayers would break even — $28.73 a share for AIG, $53.98 for GM — it could take years,” the AP reports.
Considering that AIG’s shares closed Thursday at $25.14 and GM ended at $24.72 (Ally isn’t publicly traded), the AP is probably correct.
“We’ll continue to balance the important goals of exiting our investments as soon as practicable and maximizing value for taxpayers,” Treasury spokesman Matt Anderson said.
While that’s supposed to sound reassuring, the bottom line is still this: billions of dollars have been “written off” by the Treasury, SIGTARP is uncovering more cases of TARP-related fraud, and it could take years for the Treasury to offload the stock from the biggest bailout recipients.
Read the Full SIGTARP report here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.



















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Comments (140)
JC Hedj
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:33amSpeaking as a grown up adult who has watched the ” WATCGHERS ‘ for more than 40 years all I can say to America is ” When the Blank Blank are you going to wake UP and Quit watching ?”
Report Post »OWS may not be popular by many standards , but they do the right idea…mislead , but the right idea.
IT IS TIME TO OVERHTROW THE LAWYERS IN WASINGTON DC AND ALL THIER PALS INTO THE POTOMAC AND SET THEM ADRIFT IN THE OCEAN. Read the preamble to the US Constituion and see for yourselves…It is written and it is your duty to overthrow the criminal element that has hijacked our government for the people…it is just after life , liberty and pursuit of happiness…clearly stated it is your duty to overthrow
shogun459
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:55amJC HEDJ
Read further and you will also see that we are NOT Authorized to overthrow our government until they take away our PEACEFULL MEANS of replacing them, THE VOTE.
Sorry but we must keep our heads as the rest lose theirs.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:49amYes, we are allowed to remove them. By vote, or physically. This can be done peacefully.
If I am a Politician, And I have Thousands telling me to pack my bags and leave D.C., I am out of there !!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Declaration of Independence~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
You seriously need an education before you promulgate your nescience, ad nauseam.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:56amProblemsolver
Geithner reiterates that everytime he says our money is “backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Treasury”.
That means the FEDERAL RESERVE has the TREASURY SECRETARY’S PLEDGE that THE TREASURY AND IRS will TAX THE AMERICAN PEOPLE INTO OBLIVION TO PAY THE NATIONAL DEBT that the FEDERAL RESERVE INCURS!
SO if they give a trillion to bailout offshore foreign banks…WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT IN TAXES/ INTEREST!!
WE’RE BEING ROBBED AND ITS AN INSIDE JOB LIKE 9-11 !!!
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:21pmYes, V-man Mace.
It’s the Crime of the Century. They don’t want the debt paid-off because then People would be free of them.
It is a Debt perpetuated purposely to keep us enslaved.
Imagine being the Global Elite, Printing up as much monopoly money as you have in Ink and Paper.
You can buy anything the World has to offer.
You can buy the Politicians and people that give us these bogus debt numbers. They are Liars. For all we know there is no debt.
You think I believe the IMF and FEDERAL RESERVE PRIVATE BANK are hurting for money ?????
You can buy up all the media outlets to give half-truths and outright lies to indoctrinate the masses and buy more time to carry out your nefarious, clandestine agendas.
Speaking of Lies and Revisionist manipulation.
I got that Declaration of Independence info from Constitution.org.
Notice how they CHANGED
“That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.”
from the original
“That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is NOT ONLY the right of the people, BUT THEIR DUTY to alter or to abolish it.”
Our original Constitution was ‘FOR the United States’ NOT ‘of the United States’.
The Corporation changed this, just like they are trying to brush DUTY under the rug for future generations to know about.
People wake up !!!! It almost too late !!!!
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:57pmProblemsolver
I have done exactly that…while playing Monopoly! It’s called CHEATING! LMFAO!!
The only thing is, the bank eventually runs out of money in the game! In this FICTIONAL Reserve Ganking system – http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gank , I repeat, FICTIONAL Reserves, they just keep printing money and assigning false value to it!
You have to quit playing the game.
Abolish the Federal Reserve.
Ron Paul 2012.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:05pmAnd while it’s laudable that SIGTARP has prosecuted and convicted a good number of these financial thieves, it is unsettling to see that that number continues to grow with each report. Exactly, corporate thieves that are taking money from the government and not paying it back. How’s about more information on the wealthy individuals and corporations that are doing this. Appreciate your in depth coverage of Solyndra, but realize that is selective at best. How about a wall of shame for who the individuals committing these frauds are and who their buddies in congress are.
Report Post »arewefreenow
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:31pmV-man … you’re correct. The Fed bails out its buddies in the banks, U.S. ones and overseas. But this story, in terms of its impact on We The People taxpaying public, pales in comparison to the hosing we are going to get on down the line because of the Fed’s additional printing of 16 TRILLION from 2007 – 2010 which was loaned to anyone who had their hand extended.
The outstretched hands include foreign car companies such as BMW, Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi. Also, the Central Bank of Mexico, Korea Development Bank, the Central Bank of Libya and the now permanently dead, former U.S. bud who received some 70 loans via our tax money … Muammar Qaddafi. And, there‘s a whole bunch more we’re still finding out about as investigators go through some 21,000 transactions over just that three year period alone.
For your edification, in case you missed all this: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-real-housewives-of-wall-street-look-whos-cashing-in-on-the-bailout-20110411?print=true.
Who thinks we’re gonna see all of that come back to the taxpayers? And, don‘t worry what Fed’s insanity is doing to the value of the dollar and our purchasing power? And, the stability of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency? Already, China, Japan and India have decided to NOT use dollars to buy their oil from Iran. Guess what they’re going to use?
Hint: it’s shiny and precious and they used to be a lot of it in Ft. Knox but now we’re not so sure.
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:30pmAre we absolutely sure the vote is still ours? In my state, the vote is mailed in. In other states the vote is done by computerized machines. Go here to learn what you can do to protect the vote. http://www.blackboxvoting.org/
Black Box is reporting problems from Iowa that shows we may still not know who really won that state. This is a red flag. We need to start being more aware than we are. Wake up and start fighting for your voting rights.
Report Post »1moreOutnumbered
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 2:03amWe’re almost out of time to save ourselves. I hope everyone is prepared to do their duty and take our country back. I know I am.
Report Post »1ClassicLiberal
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 10:55pmV-man we do need Ron Paul and his fiscal platform but not as the presidential candidate. Sadly Libertarianism cannot function in this society because we as a society no longer have the self control and personal responsibility necessary for its success. Ron must do well enough to garner enough delegates to have a strong voice in the party platform and presidential candidate selection. We the People must do our part to elect enough Patriots into Congress to control both chambers. If its not too late already, 2012 is the last chance to stop the fiscal insanity and save the Republic.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:57am1ClassicLiberal
I don’t care what you say. You vote for whoever you want, and I’m going to vote for whoever I want, and we’ll see who comes out on top. I’m voting for Ron Paul, no matter if he wins the nomination or not, I’ll write his name in.
You aren‘t gong to convince me that Libertarianism won’t function in this society, you’ll see it functioning when I vote for Ron Paul. I don’t care about the “party platform”. The Neocon Party Platform can sink into the abyss. I’m a registered Independent. I’m not beholden to the false left-right paradigm.
Report Post »htMac
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:57am@V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 29, 2012 at 1:57am
in most states you can re-register as repub in order to vote RP in the primary. you can then re-register independent or whichever after the primary.
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:33amGM owes $25 Billion..? I seem to remember a GM commercial with them bragging that they had already paid it all back.
Everything the government gets involved in… the taxpayers take it on the chin.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:47amHere is the truth about the Secretary of Treasury, in addition to other shocking news regarding the Bailouts.
Only 2 minutes to understand the truth about Washington D.C. and what happened to our representation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlCs7u1ihws
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:17amI knew we were screwed as soon as the Traitor-In-Chief appointed Timothy “FEDERAL RESERVE LACKEY” Geithner and held over Ben “MONETIZE THE DEBT” Bernanke from War Criminal Bush’s administration.
We have been usurped.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:20amgovernment has never solved a problem they only impose problems and “so called” solutions upon the people. the well meaning are as dangerous as tyrants.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:22amI can’t believe Wayne Paul described this situation so succinctly.
Amazingly accurate, yet so simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlCs7u1ihws
Ron Paul 2012.
END THE FED!
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:23amjb.kibs
…and they impose it by FORCE.
Report Post »Azza
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:27amThe premise to elect a president should not be “ he looks and sounds presidential” thats the Liberal Marxist espousing — looks presidential — empty head –empty suit — You need to pick someone that understands how they system works and has an idea how to run things — Liberals just gave us Carter 2 — a total idiot !!!
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:25amTime to throw all of them out and start over……………………..
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:51amYes, The overthrow of these criminals do not have to be violent. we simply detain and jail them until their trial.
We need a 2 Million Man march on Washington NOW !!!!!
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:16amIRS=collections and Disbursements
Report Post »TREASURY=Enforcement
CONGRESS=Purse strings
Make sure you hold the right ones accountable.The treasury and irs only do what they are authorized to do or forced to do.Well provided they are operating on legal grounds and under legally obtained grounds.Want to put a stop to this its called a pay for performance contract.The charge would be taxation without representation.Our taxes are put into escrow.The only question I have is what court is qualified to handle it.Our military still needs to function.So would it be the fisa court,military court,supreme court?Combination?
The pay for performance comes from the fact the constitution is a contract between the govt and citizens.We don’t consent to the handling of our finances this way.,
Locked
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:05am“Now, to be clear, SIGTARP reports are released quarterly and the above is an annual comparison. However, whether it’s a matter of 4 or 12 months, the increase in known TARP fraud is still troublesome.”
Psssst. A fiscal quarter is 3 months, not 4. There are 12 months in a year, not 16.
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:04amMight be their agenda.We the american taxpayer though are a thorn in their side.We don’t act the way the would wish.It won’t be controled well at least not by them.There is going to be a collapse it won’t go there way however.Mark my words on that.
Report Post »jernie
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:00amAdd to the crony capitalism the fact that GM went bankrupt, shafting the retirement funds holding their debt, This bankruptcy, structured as an asset sale, was also unusually allowed to pass their tax losses to the asset purchaser, meaning they will pay no taxes for years. This represents much of their value and is not reported in government losses. It was a gift to the unions and a means of shafting the taxpayers. The “new” GM will not pay its “fair share” of taxes.
Report Post »hugo65hsv
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:59amBig Big Government with power and control get away with Big Big Crap..
Report Post »TankZ71
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:49amJust pure BS! Yet they can have their dog the IRS run an audit on me right before Christmas 2011 and send me a bill for $2,200.
Report Post »I’m just a Middle class white truck driver who works his tail off 70 hrs a week. Wife in college and we have 2 kids. It just hurt us real bad to have to give our Christmas money to the Government.
Yet here they are writing off loans. Damn I hate this Government with a passion !
Cat
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:27am…
Good, you’re pissed, now get real pissed and kick the jackasses out
The lawyers in DC have legalized robbery
Shut down the IRS
Taxing productivity is counter productive
Like I’ve written in many posts, not ONE presidential candidate has said, “Shut down the IRS.”
NO … Ron Paul DID NOT say it!
Want fair Barry Soetoro?
Report Post »How about NO income tax and payroll taxes at all?
Instead of income and payroll taxes we should have a national sales tax on everything except;
Housing and ANYTHING associated with our health.
SamIamTwo
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:47amWillful fraud at that.
Report Post »donh2
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:23amPURE FASCISM….implemented without the proper consent of the governed. Certain large enterprises are now forcing their operations onto the citizenship through the coercive power of the state…and this now includes healthcare via Obamacare. All of this fascism has been railroaded into law . It is a matter of individual liberty to pick and choose which companies and products people utilize and prosper. It is down right evil to partner government with corporations in foisting cartel markets upon a free people.
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:14amAnd all that money is completely gone and wont be circulated in our economy.
Nothing different than taking out a huge loan, putting it all in a metal box, and dropping it in the middle of the ocean, never to be seen again, yet still having to pay it off!
Gee Obama and you Dems and Repubs who passed this, YOU’RE SMART!!!!!!
Report Post »DividedWeFail
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:44amHow does someone CHALLENGE the Constitutionality of using taxpayer money to bail out private banks? Or to give money to certain solar companies but not others or to certain car companies but not others?
What about equal protection under the law and that some companies get money and some don’t based on whether supported Obama?
What about Obama giving money to PRIVATE companies at all is unconstitutional?
Every single person in the USA is adversely affected by the loss of BILLIONS AND BILLIONS of dollars when they go out of business or corrupt our government.
Even though our government is for WE THE PEOPLE, none of the unwashed masses can ever challenge the constitutionality of Obama giving taxpayer money to private companies because the COURTS THROW them out even though each person’s portion of the national debt.
Report Post »Oil_Robb
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:25amthe banks have paid the money back
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:01amIts called a pay for performance contract.The taxes are put into escrow.The charge would be taxation without representation.The only question I have is which court could handle it.The military still needs to function.Would it be the fisa court,military court,supreme court?Combination?This is the only answer I see ,at least one that is legal and peaceful.The other is well you get the drift.I’m not kidding when I say this.Its high time for something to be done.
Report Post »seansmp8
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:44amFunny how they never lose a couple hundred billion dollors to a few taxpayers. I wish they could hook me up with a million or two and then forget about it. Oh wait, I didn‘t vote for him so I don’t rate payback.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:38amThe fraud is rampant and only will get worse with this administration. I ask myself who of the canidates that are left would be able to come close to straigtening this mess out. I am not sure or comfortable with the choices, but we need to get behind the last man standing. That is the only choice for us if we want to win our country back. Mitt might be the one. We will see.
Report Post »taggert
Posted on January 28, 2012 at 1:15amA LOT of us aren’t comfortable with the Republican choices. LISTEN to their words very carefully! Newt is a great debator and many are emotionally connecting with his anger and sharp comments as he beats down the media. However, LISTEN to what he says. He’s BIG GOVERNMENT (Progressive) through and through. I voted for Mitt in 2008, but I don’t plan to this time around. He cannot win the arguement regarding ObamaCare because he imposed the same in MA – and that is a VERY BIG issue that needs to be repealed by the newly elected president. At this point, I’ll be going with Santorum. I‘ve laid this country at God’s feet – HE’s in charge! Who knows . . . a third party candidate may emerge at the last minute and we will all scream – “YES, that‘s the one we’ve been waiting for!” Sorry, that my comment is “off comment” in regard to the original story.
Report Post »ConservativeCharlie
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:12amThis admin is soooo corrupt. Im glad the Blaze is around to keep em on there toes. I remeber Glenns Red Phone days, those were the days. :) Glenn has been a thone in there side from the beginning. They keep a pretty good tally of all the scandals and gaffes the president is involved in over at http://www.TheObamaPlan.com All I know is things in this country are not going well, and seem to be getting worse the closer we get to November.
Report Post »jamestoms
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:10amYep, but their supporters in the getto are merely getting the assurance that everything will remain the same or worse, they like it! They voted for it!!
Report Post »SoupSandwich
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 3:32pmYo homey- Ghetto. Not ******* getto.
Report Post »mikee1
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:10amBernanke and the other criminals at Treasury going back a few decades should ALL BE IN PRISON.
Report Post »Maidoff101
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:09amThats a whole lotta money to go M.I.A. How long would One in the private sector business last if that much of peoples money disappeared without accountability? Except for J.Corzine of course. Wash has become the “Bagman” of Txpayer funded corruption!
Report Post »quicker
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:30amJust wonder how much of that money made it to Obama`s campiagn funds.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:06amBut brilliant Uncle Joe was supposed to make sure that it was all spent appropriately. Nothing could possibly have gone wrong! That report can’t be right!
Report Post »flyoverbob
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:02amNo need to be concerned after its not reported in the media,so it’s probably no big deal.Oh yes and by media I also include FOX
Report Post »Roscoe
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:53amFour more years! Four more years! Four………more……………….years????
No?
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:05amFour more years with BO, and without accountability of the treasury to boot,will insure not impeachment hearings ,but something much worse.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:50amJust a normal Government program, like it or not. Might as well be outraged by the defense industry fraud cases that occur each year. When it comes to profiteering, Ayn Rand would be proud of those plucky enough to exploit the taker society.
TEA
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:45amAnd the Liberal looting of our economy continues.
Report Post »ConservativeCharlie
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:13amha ha, your screen name is silly.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 7:18amWell O and his cronies won’t be using the DOJ as thier personal inforcement squad much longer. There will be investigations and o and his ilk will leave the country as enemies of the state
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 6:42amThis is… simply Money stolen by Obama and Biden!
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