By John Clore | Investigative Journalist | 3/31/2025 at 5:58 PM
Missing Billions, Not Just Millions: The Real COVID Aid Scandal in Michigan
It’s no surprise that the Detroit Free Press is at it again — twisting the facts to push a narrative that fits a political agenda rather than asking the hard questions. This time, they’re fuming about the federal government rescinding a deadline extension for pandemic-era education funds.
They frame it as an attack on children, schools, and clean air. What they don’t mention? Michigan already lost track of $3.5 billion in federal COVID aid — and nobody has been held accountable.
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Too Much Money, Too Little Oversight
Between 2020 and 2021, Michigan was handed $6 billion in federal COVID relief. Where did it all go?
Let’s Do the Math:
- Total Federal COVID Relief to Michigan (2020–2021):
➤ $6 billion - Spent on Education (by end of 2022):
➤ $2.5 billion - Unspent Education Funds (as of late 2024):
➤ $343 million
(Which suggests about $2.843 billion total was used or allocated in education — still less than half of the total relief.) - Local Governments (via American Rescue Plan):
➤ $4.4 billion
( The American Rescue Plan (ARPA) is not part of the original $6 billion in federal COVID relief Michigan received between 2020 and 2021.Separate from school-specific funding, and much of it still unspent.)
But now the Free Press wants us to believe the real scandal is $42 million in school HVAC projects not being reimbursed? Give us a break.
Real Fraud, Real Waste
While they’re lamenting that Flint schools won’t get $15 million for air filters, let’s talk about what’s really gone wrong:
The Michigan Education Association illegally received $12.5 million in PPP funds — and had to pay them back.
A Michigan woman stole $37,000 in COVID healthcare relief for personal expenses.
Another fraudster conned $8,850 out of the state’s emergency rental program.
Small businesses across the state saw only $10 million from COVID grants, spread thin across 700 companies.
Meanwhile, the state’s political leadership — Democrats and Republicans alike — have refused to investigate or demand audits. Not one serious legislative hearing. Not one full accounting.
This Isn’t About Kids — It’s About Politics
Let’s be honest: the only reason media outlets like the Detroit Free Press are crying foul is because it’s politically convenient. When federal officials under the new administration said, “Enough is enough” and cut off extended pandemic spending, that exposed how much Michigan had bungled the process.
Instead of holding Lansing accountable for three years of mismanagement, they’re trying to guilt readers into blaming D.C. for closing the wallet.
And let’s be clear — this isn’t about denying students “clean air.” The truth is, districts knew the deadlines, failed to spend the funds in time, and are now shocked they’re being held responsible for their poor planning.
Where’s the Accountability?
If Detroit Free Press wants to do some real journalism, here are a few questions they could start with:
Why were $3.5 billion in pandemic funds unaccounted for in Michigan?
Who signed off on illegal PPP loans to union organizations?
Why did small businesses receive crumbs while bureaucracies hoarded millions?
Who allowed fraudulent applications to siphon off aid with zero checks in place?
But instead, they chose to write a puff piece defending broken promises and bad budgeting — because it aligns with a narrative that protects Michigan’s political elite.
Time to Demand the Truth
It’s time the people of Michigan stopped being gaslit by their government and the media.
Don’t fall for the spin. The federal government cutting off unused or mismanaged funds is a long-overdue correction, not an injustice. It’s a reminder that taxpayer dollars aren’t Monopoly money, and states should be held accountable for what they’re given.
If schools lose $42 million, maybe ask why they didn’t use the funds sooner — or better yet, ask what happened to the other $3.5 billion that vanished without a trace.
