House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has opened an investigation into alleged widespread fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs during Governor Tim Walz’s administration. The inquiry focuses on the state’s response to the fraud, potential cover-up efforts, and claims of retaliation against whistleblowers.
In letters sent to Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, Comer requested documents and communications related to what state officials knew about the fraudulent activities and any actions taken in response. “The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating reports of widespread fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs. The Committee has serious concerns about how you as the Governor, and the Democrat-controlled administration, allowed millions of dollars to be stolen. The Committee also has concerns that you and your administration were fully aware of this fraud and chose not to act for fear of political retaliation. The Committee therefore requests documents and communications showing what your administration knew about this fraud and whether you took action to limit or halt the investigation into this widespread fraud,” wrote Chairman Comer to Governor Walz.
Federal prosecutors have charged multiple individuals with stealing more than $240 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program through Feeding Our Future, a Minnesota-based nonprofit. Although they claimed to provide thousands of meals for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities allege only a small portion was actually served, while funds were used for luxury purchases.
Other schemes cited include over $104 million allegedly stolen from Minnesota’s housing stabilization program by falsely claiming to assist those at risk of homelessness, as well as $14 million taken by billing for autism treatment services never rendered. Reports suggest state officials saw early signs of fraud but did not intervene. Some media accounts allege that money distributed through the Department of Human Services (DHS) may have been sent overseas to terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS. Whistleblowers claim DHS employees deleted data and withheld records related to these incidents.
“This woeful oversight of remittances is concerning, especially given that since 2014, including under your leadership since 2019, oversight of remittance payments has been the purview of the state. You were caught on tape pledging to help Feeding Our Future fraudsters in a conversation that also included discussion of campaign donations from Somali community leaders to secure your donor base and, only days later you and your son accepted contributions to your campaigns from the individuals in this meeting. Based on these reports, the Committee is concerned that you were negligent in handling taxpayer dollars that were ultimately stolen and had systems in place that allowed the funds to be funneled to terrorist networks responsible for killing Americans. Whistleblowers have indicated that DHS employees are destroying evidence. The Committee expects that you will take all steps to preserve evidence during this investigation,” wrote Chairman Comer to Attorney General Ellison.
Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison have until December 17, 2025, to respond with information requested by the committee.
