California took in millions for 94,000 dead people’s phone and internet service, bombshell FCC report finds

California took in millions in federal funds for over 94,000 dead people’s phone and internet service, according to a new report from the Federal Communications Commission.

The state obtained $3.8 million between 2020 and 2025 through the federal Lifeline program, which spend nearly $1 billion annually to subsidize phone and internet service for low-income Americans, according to the FCC’s inspector general.

Of the three states named in the report, the Golden State collected the most by a long shot, the report said.

“Gavin Newsom’s California was by far the worst offender of these opt-out states,” FCC Chair Brendan Carr wrote on X, adding that “the FCC recently revoked California’s authority to run its own verification process.”

Gov. Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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