Chairman James Comer announced an expansion of the committee’s investigation into alleged fraud and money laundering in Minnesota’s social services programs. The press release accuses Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison of failing to prevent or investigate the fraud, and of retaliating against whistleblowers who raised concerns.
Comer’s letters request Suspicious Activity Reports from the Treasury Department and a DOJ briefing on the scope of the fraud. He also seeks transcribed interviews with current and former Minnesota officials tied to the Department of Human Services and Department of Education. The investigation follows federal charges against individuals accused of stealing over $240 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program through the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
The press release alleges that some of the stolen funds were funneled to terrorist organizations, including Al-Shabaab and ISIS, and that state officials may have deleted records to obstruct investigations. No formal findings have been issued against the state officials named, and the committee’s requests remain pending.