- The Department of Homeland Security has designated Karen Evans as head of its waste, fraud and abuse task force
- Evans has worked in positions at DHS headquarters as well as sub-agencies
- DHS will take center stage at the 2026 Homeland Security Summit on November 10
Karen Evans, who previously served as the Department of Homeland Security’s chief information officer, has been chosen as director of the agency’s waste, fraud and abuse task force, Federal News Network said Friday.
In an email obtained by FNN, Under Secretary for Management Brian Cavanaugh announced that Evans will steer DHS’s contribution to Executive Order 14395, “Establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.”
“Karen’s extensive background in federal IT and cybersecurity leadership, along with her deep experience in public service, makes her well suited to lead this important effort,” Cavanaugh said. “In this role, she will coordinate DHS efforts to eliminate waste, safeguard taxpayer funds and ensure the department remains a responsible steward of public resources.”
Save the date for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Homeland Security Summit on November 10 and witness DHS leaders share how a 65% budget boost is reshaping priorities in AI, cyber defense and border operations. The event will include Shawn Fallah, chief – supervisory criminal investigator of the DHS/Homeland Security Investigations, as well as panel discussions on federated DHS data and building the agency’s cyber talent. Sign up now!
What Is Karen Evans’ History With DHS?
Evans has assumed various roles at DHS headquarters as well as its sub-agencies. Initially, she was appointed as chief information officer in 2020, a role she served for less than a year. In 2025, she briefly became part of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as executive assistant director for cybersecurity. Before she was chosen as head of the waste, fraud and abuse task force, Evans was administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Outside DHS, Evans worked for other agencies, including the Department of Energy as assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security and emergency response and the Office of Management and Budget as administrator of e-government and information technology.
What Is the Significance of the Waste, Fraud and Abuse Task Force?
Evans’ appointment comes as the Trump administration cracks down on improper payments and fraud. In March, President Donald Trump signed the executive order that established the fraud task force Evans will now support at the DHS.
The White House last week rolled out a public “Fraud Ledger” tracking the task force’s results over its first year and a half of investigation. According to the ledger, DHS-related efforts have identified $1.3 billion in fraud, blocked $2.2 billion in payments suspected of being fraudulent before they went out and recovered $121.5 million through indictments, settlements and civil penalties over the past 12 months.
