Fraud, Misappropriation, Embezzlement and Theft of Budgetary Funds in the Sphere of Social and Healthcare as a Criminal Phenomenon in the USA

Introduction: the article examines the fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and theft of budgetary funds in the sphere of social and healthcare as a criminal phenomenon in the USA. The author notes separate domestic system analogies in different countries associated with the branching of the system and a variety of forms of social and medical support, methods of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and theft of budgetary funds in this sphere. Based on the analysis of the results of law enforcement activities, the author of the article states its features related to the criminal phenomenon: the relevance of the problem of embezzlement of budget funds in the sphere of social and medical security in the USA; a variety of methods of these crimes; the presence of special units that combat the fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and theft of budgetary funds in the sphere of social and healthcare, and the involvement of organizations in this sphere in the relevant activities; aggravation and determination of social problems through the fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and theft of budgetary funds in the sphere of social and healthcare. The presence of a social and criminal paradox associated with the implementation of fictitious expenses in the presence of a significant number of needy persons is highlighted. The significance of the findings for domestic, foreign and international practices is noted. Material and Methods: the normative base of the research is the current legislation, the scientific base is formed by the articles and researches of criminologists. Part of the empirical base is the results of law enforcement practice in the sphere of social and healthcare in the USA, corresponding to law enforcement activities. In the context of comparison, attention is paid to the same in Russian reality. The research uses the method of materialistic dialectics, general scientific and special methods of criminological research. Results: the examination of the fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and theft of budgetary funds in the sphere of social and healthcare as a criminal phenomenon in the USA made it possible to identify individual conditions in which it arises and develops, some features of the corresponding crimes and activities to counteract their commission. In particular, the socio-criminal paradox associated with the implementation of expenses on fictitious beneficiaries of social and medical security in the presence of a significant number of persons in need of medical and other social assistance was noted. The article notes separate domestic system analogies in different countries associated with the branching of the system and a variety of forms of social and medical support, methods of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and theft of budgetary funds in this sphere. Discussion and Conclusions: the article examines some features of the US social and healthcare system, the results and individual examples of law enforcement activities to combat fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement and theft of budgetary funds in the US sphere of social and healthcare, and substantiates the conclusion about the criminality of the relevant sector, the relevance and specificity of the problem, and the possibility of specialization of law enforcement agencies (creation of special units, etc.). The significance of the findings for domestic, foreign and international practices is noted.