White Papers & Research

Original research and analysis from Sentinel Integrity Group on program integrity, government efficiency, and fraud prevention

The $162 Billion Blind Spot

Why Single-Program Fraud Detection Fails and What States Can Do About It

An analysis of GAO FY2024 improper payment data reveals that siloed, agency-by-agency fraud detection misses cross-program patterns that cost taxpayers billions. This paper examines the structural failures of current approaches and proposes a multi-agency detection framework.

  • $162B in annual improper payments across 68 federal programs
  • 75% concentrated in just 5 program areas
  • Cross-program fraud rings invisible to single-agency tools
  • Framework for multi-agency detection architecture

Author: David Thorne, CEO

Date: March 2026

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AI Replaces Bureaucracy

Program Integrity at 87% Less Cost — The Case for Intelligent Oversight

When Kansas proposed SB 363 to mandate data-matching across state agencies, the fiscal note came back at $17-18.5M per year requiring 288 new FTEs. This paper demonstrates how AI-powered oversight achieves the same outcomes for $1.8-2.5M with zero new hires — and why the DOGE/COGE movement should take notice.

  • SB 363 fiscal note: $17-18.5M/year, 288 new FTEs
  • Sentinel alternative: $1.8-2.5M/year, zero new hires
  • 87% cost reduction with superior detection capabilities
  • Applicable to every state efficiency initiative

Author: David Thorne, CEO

Date: March 2026

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About Our Research

Sentinel Integrity Group publishes original research to advance the field of program integrity and government oversight. Our white papers are based on publicly available government data, original analysis, and real-world deployment experience. We believe that transparency in methodology strengthens the case for better oversight.

Have a Research Question?

We welcome inquiries from legislators, agency directors, and oversight professionals. If you have a specific program integrity question you'd like us to analyze, contact David.

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