Stimulus Numbers Continue to be Exaggerated

Bill McMorris does not surprise our regular readers when he reports that the job creation numbers attributed to the stimulus package are exaggerated.

Authorities continue to overestimate the number of jobs “created or saved” by the stimulus package, according to an independent review conducted by the the Boston Globe.

While Massachusetts recipients of federal stimulus money collectively report 12,374 jobs saved or created, a Globe review shows that number is wildly exaggerated. Organizations that received stimulus money miscounted jobs, filed erroneous figures, or claimed jobs for work that has not yet started.

The review saw some agencies that had reported creating dozens of jobs created recant their stories.

“There were no jobs created. It was just shuffling around of the funds,’’ said Susan Kelly, director of property management for Boston Land Co., which reported retaining 26 jobs with $2.7 million in rental subsidies for its affordable housing developments in Waltham. “It’s hard to figure out if you did the paperwork right. We never asked for this.’’