James Comer is Chairman of the House Oversight Committee. | https://oversight.house.gov/chairman-james-comer/
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced an expansion of the committee’s investigation into alleged large-scale fraud and money laundering in Minnesota’s social services programs. The inquiry focuses on actions taken under Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, as well as reported efforts to cover up the fraud and retaliate against whistleblowers.
“Whistleblowers have made it clear that American taxpayers were defrauded in Minnesota, raising serious questions about whether Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison failed to act or was complicit in the theft. The House Oversight Committee is aggressively investigating widespread fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs and the failures of Governor Walz’s administration that allowed taxpayer funds to be funneled to terrorist networks responsible for the deaths of Americans. Today, the Committee is requesting information from the Treasury Department and the Department of Justice, as well as transcribed interviews with Minnesota state officials. While Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison turn a blind eye to taxpayer fraud, the House Oversight Committee is acting decisively and will use its full power to protect hardworking taxpayers,” said Chairman Comer.
The committee is examining findings from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota regarding significant money laundering and fraudulent activity. In correspondence with U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Comer requested all relevant Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) related to fraud in Minnesota, along with a staff-level briefing on how financial regulations are enforced and how fund transfers to foreign entities are monitored.
A separate letter was sent to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting a briefing from the Department of Justice about uncovered fraudulent activity. Additionally, Comer asked for transcribed interviews with several current and former officials from both the Minnesota Department of Education and Department of Human Services.
Earlier this month, Comer requested documents from Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison regarding widespread fraud involving federal child nutrition funds administered by Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit based in Minnesota. Federal prosecutors have charged dozens with stealing more than $240 million through this program. According to reports, state officials noticed early signs of irregularities but did not intervene at that time.
Further reporting suggests some misappropriated funds distributed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services were transferred overseas to support terrorist organizations such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS. Whistleblowers have also claimed that DHS deleted data or withheld records during internal investigations into these matters.
Governor Walz has not yet complied with requests from Congress for documentation related to these allegations.
