Acting Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Director Michael Cole has been appointed as the agency’s official head, effective immediately, as a flurry of SNAP-EBT fraud schemes have been uncovered in Massachusetts and just days after the Herald published a DTA whistleblower’s account of “rampant” fraud within the program.

“I am pleased to share with you that Michael Cole has been appointed Commissioner of DTA, effective immediately. As you know, Michael has served as Acting Commissioner since September 2025 after more than a decade of service to DTA in other roles,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Kiame Mahaniah on Thursday in an agency-wide email obtained by the Herald.

“We’re grateful for his continued leadership and know that his incredible depth of knowledge of the agency and compassion for the people we serve will position DTA well to meet that critical moment in our shared work. Please join me in thanking Michael for his continued service to DTA,” he said.

Cole’s appointment comes just days after the Herald detailed a whistleblower’s account of “rampant” fraud in the state’s SNAP-EBT program and lackluster efforts to combat the fraud in the DTA. It also follows multiple SNAP and other public benefits fraud busts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the state Auditor’s Office.

Cole has served as Acting Commissioner of the DTA since September 2025, following the retirement of former Commissioner Jeff McCue.

In the press release announcing Cole’s...

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