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Despite the enormous number of forms required in such programs, complains Unit Chief Bill Elsbury, 31, "Government has made little effort to check the validity of the payout. If a bill is submitted, questions are rarely asked." Skinner agrees. Says he: "As long as Congress continues to mandate new programs without adequate controls, the problem will be with us. It is a gold mine for rip-off." But he cites one cause for hope. Deputy Attorney General Harold Tyler, who heads a Justice Department committee on white-collar crime, met recently with top officials of federal departments to plan a nationwide attack on the problem. The lessons and tactics learned by the Skinner squad should make the assault easier.