The House Oversight Committee, under the leadership of Chairman James Comer (R-KY), launched a major investigation on Monday into the handling of a children's food program by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The program is at the center of allegations involving "massive fraud" and the misappropriation of over $1 billion in taxpayer funds during the pandemic era.
The investigation follows evidence suggesting that Gov. Walz was warned about the fraudulent activities but did not act decisively to address them. Whistleblowers who brought attention to the issue reportedly faced retaliation, according to Chairman Comer.
"At my direction, @USTreasury is investigating allegations that under the feckless mismanagement of the Biden Administration and Governor Tim Walz, hardworking Minnesotans’ tax dollars may have been diverted to the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab." - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Central to the inquiry is the accusation that individuals, including some connected to Somali terrorist organizations, exploited the Feeding Our Future program while the intended beneficiaries, children in need, received no assistance. The committee's authority enables it to issue subpoenas and refer cases for criminal prosecution. So far, federal prosecutors have secured convictions against 59 individuals involved in the scheme.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took to social media to express his concerns about the case. Bessent highlighted the need to examine the mismanagement under the previous federal administration and Gov. Walz's role in allowing taxpayer money to potentially benefit the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
This scandal, referred to as the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal, implicates 78 individuals who allegedly defrauded Minnesota taxpayers. Federal prosecutors have labeled their actions as "depraved and brazen." The fraudulent activity reportedly involved the use of state social services funds, funneling them through various departments to the nonprofit organization and its affiliates.
The FBI's raid on the nonprofit in January 2022 resulted in its dissolution. Allegations suggest that instead of providing meals to schoolchildren, the funds were used to finance luxury items, including vehicles and properties, in foreign countries. The process involved requests for reimbursement that were passed through state and federal agencies.
A social media account claimed to represent 500 Minnesota Department of Human Services employees criticized Gov. Walz, indicating that the governor's administration had systematically retaliated against whistleblowers. The account has since been suspended.
The congressional probe seeks to clarify the extent of the fraud and Gov. Walz's role, while the Treasury's investigation continues to unravel how the mismanagement occurred and the scope of the funds' diversion.
