BOSTON — Acting Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Director Michael Cole has been appointed as the agency’s official head, effective immediately, as a flurry of SNAP-EBT fraud schemes have been uncovered in Massachusetts and just days after the Herald published a DTA whistleblower’s account of “rampant” fraud within the program.

“I am pleased to share with you that Michael Cole has been appointed Commissioner of DTA, effective immediately. As you know, Michael has served as Acting Commissioner since September 2025 after more than a decade of service to DTA in other roles,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Kiame Mahaniah on Thursday in an agency-wide email obtained by the Herald.

“We’re grateful for his continued leadership and know that his incredible depth of knowledge of the agency and compassion for the people we serve will position DTA well to meet that critical moment in our shared work. Please join me in thanking Michael for his continued service to DTA,” he said.

Cole’s appointment comes just days after the Herald detailed a whistleblower’s account of “rampant” fraud in the state’s SNAP-EBT program and lackluster efforts to combat the fraud in the DTA. It also follows multiple SNAP and other public benefits fraud busts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the state Auditor’s Office.

Cole has served as Acting Commissioner of the DTA since September 2025, following the retirement of former Commissioner Jeff McCue.

In the press release announcing Cole’s appointment, the DTA credited him with guiding the agency through the recent suspension of the SNAP program during the federal government shutdown and for leading the DTA through federal changes to the program under President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“DTA is going through a critical time, fulfilling the agency’s extremely important role as our state’s top defense against food insecurity while adapting to major federal pressures,” said Secretary Mahaniah in a public statement. “Michael’s incredible depth of knowledge of the agency and ability to manage its operational needs, plus his strong relationships with DTA’s partners and deep compassion for the people we serve, make him the right leader of DTA to meet this moment.”

In December, the Feds busted an alleged $7 million SNAP fraud scheme run by two Haitian men. In January, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced another SNAP fraud bust — a $1 million scheme allegedly run by a naturalized U.S. citizen from the Dominican Republic, two illegal immigrants, and one green card holder.

Meanwhile, the state Auditor’s Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) has identified over $34 million in public benefits fraud in FY23, FY24, and FY25, with SNAP representing the largest share of fraud in each year. BSI also reported that 82.9% of all referrals processed by the office in FY24 involved SNAP, while 78% of referrals processed in FY25 involved SNAP.

The BSI has also found that in FY23, FY24, and FY25, a significant share of the detected fraud was tied to DTA programs. In FY23, a whopping 69% of identified fraud was tied to DTA programs, totaling $8.49 million. The figure dropped,but was still high in FY24, with DTA programs tied to 59% of identified fraud, good for $6.02 million. In FY25, identified fraud tied to DTA programs dropped again, yet still remained high, making up 49% or $4.95 million.

The state Senate’s Republican Caucus is calling for an oversight hearing on SNAP-EBT fraud in Massachusetts after the Herald reported the account of a whistleblower in the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the “rampant” fraud within the SNAP_EBT program and the DTA’s lackluster efforts in stopping it.

This all as Gov. Maura Healey continues to refuse to turn over information on Massachusetts SNAP recipients, including immigration status, to the Trump Administration and the USDA to root out waste, fraud and abuse. Healey says that Trump has not provided her office any assurances that the information will not be handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“I am grateful for this opportunity to build on the foundation laid by former Commissioner McCue and lead DTA through this particularly challenging time for DTA,” said Cole. “We have a lot of work to do to implement recent federal changes, but DTA staff at every level are the most skilled, compassionate and innovative colleagues anyone could ask for. I am confident that in this national moment, DTA will personify excellence in public service and deliver proudly for the many people in Massachusetts who rely on us.”

The DTA’s press release also featured statements in support of Cole and the troubled agency from several state lawmakers and leaders of nonprofit organizations. All of these additional statements included clear criticism of the federal government and recent changes to the SNAP program under the Trump Administration, while failing to mention the recent fraud uncovered in Massachusetts.

Healey’s office and the DTA declined to comment on whether Cole’s appointment is related the recently uncovered SNAP fraud schemes and the Herald’s whistleblower report.

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