Statement from DOE:
Yesterday, the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General executed a search warrant at a Stockton, Calif., residence with the presence of local law enforcement authorities.
While it was reported in local media that the search was related to a defaulted student loan, that is incorrect. This is related to a criminal investigation. The Inspector General's Office does not execute search warrants for late loan payments.
Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we can't comment on the specifics of the case. We can say that the OIG's office conducts about 30-35 search warrants a year on issues such as bribery, fraud, and embezzlement of federal student aid funds.
All further questions on this issue should be directed to the Department of Education's Inspector General's Office.
Sara Gast
U.S. Department of Education Press Office
Gawker
I am not making judgement one way or the other on whether the circumstances merited the SWAT action or not, but it was not as sensationalistic as a Student Loan default.
This of course makes perfect sense, because it makes no sense as originally reported. And I don't blame the original diarist, but I do blame the news team that hyped the story without getting all the facts.
UPDATE: As has been noted by others, it wasn't even SWAT. Thanks for the REC list guys, I really wish this diary wasn't needed.