Summary4 min read

The Daily Scoop Podcast

Episode Summary: SBA Turns to Palantir After Minnesota Fraud Allegations Spark National Probe

Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode details the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) decision to enlist Palantir for a nationwide fraud probe sparked by high-profile allegations in Minnesota. The show also covers the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) launch of a revamped federal workforce data portal, emphasizing transparency and user access. Both stories highlight the intersection of federal technology modernization and accountability efforts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SBA’s Nationwide Fraud Investigation with Palantir

Recent Developments in Minnesota:
The SBA suspended 6,900 Minnesota borrowers as part of a review into thousands of pandemic-era loans, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which collectively totaled approximately $400 million.
- “Loeffler said the borrowers were approved for 7,900 Paycheck Protection Program and economic injury disaster loans totaling about $400 million.” (Billy Mitchell, 01:09)
Contract with Palantir:
SBA signed a $300,000 contract with Palantir for a “Fraud Prevention Pilot and Boot Camp,” due to conclude in early April. This collaboration is focused on leveraging Palantir’s advanced analytics platform, Foundry, to better detect and manage fraud risk at scale.
- “According to federal spending records, the SBA signed a $300,000 contract with the data analytics and software giant last week.” (Billy Mitchell, 00:35)
Scope and Tools:
Palantir’s Foundry platform is designed to unify disparate data sources, offering tools like case management and automated risk sorting for investigations.
- “The platform consolidates disparate information assets to produce a unified data landscape. It also includes a Foundry case manager that tracks investigation steps and automatically sorts alerts by risk level.” (Billy Mitchell, 02:04)
National Expansion:
The SBA confirmed this pilot is part of a broader effort to expand fraud investigations nationwide, following a zero-tolerance policy.
- Memorable Quote:
  “We’re now expanding our investigations nationwide as part of a broader zero tolerance policy on fraud.” (Maggie Clemons, SBA spokesperson, quoted at 01:36)
Catalyst for Action:
The probe ramped up after a video by Nick Shirley, a right-wing influencer, alleged widespread fraud at Minnesota child care programs. The viral attention led to the Trump administration freezing child care funds for the state and demanding further audits.
- “The fraud allegations in Minnesota resurfaced late last month after right wing influencer Nick Shirley posted a video on YouTube... That video quickly went viral, prompting the Trump administration to freeze child care funds to the state and call for an audit into some daycares.” (Billy Mitchell, 02:37)

2. OPM's Federal Workforce Data Website Overhaul

New Website Launch:
The Office of Personnel Management debuted an upgraded federal workforce data site, designed for greater transparency and ease of use. The interface now features interactive charts and more granular filtering options.
- “The Office of Personnel Management launched a new workforce data website last week. Recently replacing an antiquated interface and aiming to bring more transparency to federal employment figures...” (Billy Mitchell, 02:58)
Improvements Over the Previous System:
Data updates are now monthly rather than quarterly, and new datasets include payroll and recruitment information.
- “In addition to a more modern interface, the new website adds data sets for payroll and recruitment and promises updates on a faster monthly interval.” (Billy Mitchell, 03:38)
Positive Reception and Impact:
Federal data users and advocates welcomed the changes, which they noted had been discussed and requested long before the current administration.
- Memorable Quote:
  “OPM Director Scott Cooper called the website a major step forward for accountability and data driven decision making across government.” (Billy Mitchell, 03:21)
FedScope Shutdown:
The legacy FedScope interface will be decommissioned as of January 28, 2026.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On SBA’s New Direction:

“We’re now expanding our investigations nationwide as part of a broader zero tolerance policy on fraud.”
— Maggie Clemons, SBA spokesperson (quoted by Billy Mitchell, 01:36)
On Transparency in Government Data:

“OPM Director Scott Cooper called the website a major step forward for accountability and data driven decision making across government.”
— Billy Mitchell quoting Scott Cooper, 03:21
Describing the Foundry Platform:

“The platform consolidates disparate information assets to produce a unified data landscape. It also includes a Foundry case manager that tracks investigation steps and automatically sorts alerts by risk level.”
— Billy Mitchell, 02:04

Timestamps for Key Segments

SBA Turns to Palantir for National Fraud Probe: 00:35–02:37
Minnesota Allegations as Catalyst: 02:37–02:58
OPM’s Workforce Data Website Overhaul: 02:58–03:57

Tone

The episode maintains a factual, news-driven tone, focusing on transparency, modernization, and the government’s increasing reliance on technology solutions to solve high-stakes challenges in accountability and oversight. Speaker quotations preserve the professional and direct language typical of public sector technology discussions.

Conclusion

This episode delivers concise but detailed coverage of two significant federal government moves: the SBA’s proactive strategy to combat widespread loan fraud with private sector big data help, and OPM’s commitment to open and modernized workforce data. The discussion emphasizes how federal agencies are leveraging technology and transparency to ensure both accountability and public trust.

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Transcript2 lines

[00:02]
A
Today on the Daily Scoop podcast from the Scoop News Group, SBA turns to Palantir after Minnesota fraud allegations spark a national probe and OPM's federal workforce data site just got a major overhaul. It's Monday, January 12, 2026. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. And now let's dive into the day's top headlines. The Small Business Administration is enlisting Palantir's help in its nationwide probe of suspected loan fraud as years long fraud allegations in Minnesota draw national attention. According to federal spending records, the SBA signed a $300,000 contract with the data analytics and software giant last week. The contract's description read SBA fraud Prevention Pilot and boot Camp and has a projected end date of April 4. The contract, signed through the General Services Administration's Multiple Award Schedule, was made public just days after SBA Secretary Kelly Loeffler announced that the agency had suspended 6,900 Minnesota borrowers for alleged fraud following its review of thousands of pandemic era loans administered to the state. Loeffler said the borrowers were approved for 7900 Paycheck Protection Program and economic injury disaster loans totaling about $400 million. When asked about the Palantir contract, SBA spokesperson Maggie Clemmons pointed to the agency's Minnesota probe, writing, quote, we're now expanding our investigations nationwide as part of a broader zero tolerance policy on fraud. Clemons went on to add that the agency has multiple audits underway and that it's going to work with law enforcement moving forward to hold any fraudsters accountable. SBA did not confirm whether other companies are involved in the effort, and Palantir didn't respond to a request for comment. The technology company, which currently performs various data and software based tasks for numerous federal agencies, offers fraud detection as part of its Foundry platform. According to its website, the platform consolidates disparate information assets to produce a unified data landscape. It also includes a Foundry case manager that tracks investigation steps and automatically sorts alerts by risk level. The fraud allegations in Minnesota resurfaced late last month after right wing influencer Nick Shirley posted a video on YouTube about alleged fraud schemes at child care programs in Minnesota. That video quickly went viral, prompting the Trump administration to freeze child care funds to the state and call for an audit into some daycares. Now moving on to other news, the Office of Personnel Management launched a new workforce data website last week. Recently replacing an antiquated interface and aiming to bring more transparency to federal employment figures, OPM officially announced the new federal Workforce Data site last Thursday, with data up to November for most categories. That site includes accessible statistics of interest, such as a reduction of 220,000 workers under President Donald Trump, as well as multiple interactive charts that users can filter by agency, timeframe or other factors. In a written statement, OPM Director Scott Cooper called the website a major step forward for accountability and data driven decision making across government. While federal workforce data has long been made publicly available online, the old interface, FedScope, was cumbersome and offered data updates on a quarterly basis that lagged by months. In addition to a more modern interface, the new website adds data sets for payroll and recruitment and promises updates on a faster monthly interval. Per a note on the website, Fed Scope will no longer be available as of January 28th. Despite controversy over the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the workforce, publication of the website was immediately well received by federal data users and advocates. In comments to FedScoop, several sources both applauded the new website and noted that interest in improving the publication of federal workforce data began long before the current administration. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com thanks so much for.
[04:16]
B
Tuning in to another episode of the Daily Scoop Podcast, available on all podcast platforms. If you've already rated the podcast on your platform of choice, thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington, dc. Adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help put the show together, and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back tomorrow with more top headlines. Until then, I'm your host as always, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.