CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A new federal-state partnership in Ohio will help track down and prosecute people who commit fraud.

At a news conference in Columbus Thursday, Justice Department officials also announced the creation of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list.

On the list are the alleged “worst of the worst” offenders accused of stealing millions in taxpayer money.

“Ohio is leading the charge in the fight against fraud, and some states should take notice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Working closely with Ohio officials, the Department of Justice dismantled a sophisticated Medicaid fraud scheme that exploited taxpayers to fund exotic cars and lavish lifestyles. By holding these fraudsters accountable and partnering with the FBI on a robust Most Wanted fraudster list, we are pursuing fraud more aggressively than ever. No fraud scheme is beyond our reach.”

Officials also announced they seized seven bank accounts worth $600,000 and 14 vehicles worth millions, all of which officials said came as “direct proceeds from robbing value community healthcare resources from Americans who needed it.”

“The days of deception are over. As the stewards of your tax dollars, if we find evidence of willful and deliberate abuse of government programs, we will investigate and prosecute those individuals responsible to the full extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer, for the Northern District of Ohio.

In Northern Ohio, two 22-year-old men from Ghana and a 53-year-old woman were ordered detained this week in connection with an over $15 million romance scam that defrauded over 130 victims across the United States.

Two 31-year-old Ghana men also accused in the romance scam are awaiting extradition.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A once-in-a-lifetime event in Cleveland, International Soccer at Huntington Bank Field, leading into the FIFA World Cup.

A warmup to the World Cup that starts next weekend in Los Angeles and around the country, this exhibition bringing fans from all over to Cleveland.

“The passion of the International Soccer fan is unlike what we have in America,” said Andrea Yock with Road to 26, the organizing group. “They will come with their faces painted, their national team flags flying, every inch of their clothing will be team colors, and they will be loud the whole time.”

The colors and cheers will be for Brazil and Egypt, meeting in a tune-up match for the FIFA World Cup, which begins June 12th in Los Angeles and around the country, this exhibition played on the biggest field ever at this facility.

“This field was specifically grown for this game on Saturday night,” explained Yock. “It was brought in from New Jersey, it was grown on a farm in New Jersey, brought in on twenty-eight refrigerated trucks, each roll of grass weighs one ton.”

Twenty-eight tons of turf for the first International Soccer match in Cleveland, an opportunity to experience World Cup soccer without leaving town.

“For fans that cannot afford a World Cup ticket,” continued Yock, “who can’t necessarily travel, who don’t have the time off from work, this is a chance for fans to see the best players in the world right in front of them.”

Sixty-thousand soccer fans will decent on Huntington Bank Field, bringing enthusiasm…and dollars…to Cleveland.

“We’re expecting about sixty-thousand people, not only from Cleveland but out of the market,” said Chris Lewis of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “It’s huge sports ‘get’ for us here in Cleveland so we’re expecting an economic impact.”

That impact felt at restaurants and hotels, not to mention on the field.

“You’re never going to see anything like this leading into a World Cup,” concluded Yock. “t’s going to be a long time,”

There are still some tickets for Saturday’s game, which begins at six o’clock, starting at about $75.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former Cleveland Mayor and Congressman Dennis Kucinich has lost his appeal over the Browns move to Brook Park, closing the final lawsuit looking to prevent a relocation.

When reached for comment, Kucinich says he will appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.

“I will appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. This is a fundamental question about a taxpayer’s rights.”

Kucinich had filed a lawsuit against the Browns and the City of Cleveland in 2025, arguing against the Browns move to Brook Park.

A judge eventually threw out that lawsuit following an agreement between the Browns and the City, saying the lawsuit was “moot” now that both sides were in agreement.

Kucinich then appealed that decision.

That appeal was denied by the Eights District Court of Appeals Wednesday after they sided with the City of Cleveland who said Kucinich could not represent the taxpayers of Ohio as he is not a licensed attorney.

The final lawsuit remaining related to the Browns move is currently blocking the $600M in state funds set to go to the team for the stadium. The Haslam’s have said if those funds are not released they will be able to find alternative means to pay for that portion of the stadium.