Minnesota has shifted from being the land of 10,000 lakes to the land of billion-dollar frauds. Gov. Tim Walz has faced mounting scrutiny as multiple large-scale fraud schemes have unfolded during his tenure. Recent reports indicate Minnesota has suffered substantial taxpayer-funded fraud, much of it allegedly involving individuals within the state’s Somali community.
The report also noted accusations that millions from the scheme were funneled to the terror group Al Shabaab.
Investigators estimate the total fraud at roughly $1 billion across various public assistance programs.
Fox News reported the amount may ultimately be far higher. “Fraud investigators are finding in Minnesota is growing by the day,” Fox News National Correspondent Garrett Tenney reported.
“Kelly Loeffler, who leads the Small Business Administration, says in the two days her agency has been investigating the state, they’ve uncovered at least $1 million in PPP fraud.”
Tenney added that whistleblowers told lawmakers “they believe the total amount of fraud could total up to more than $8 billion.”
Walz has faced questions over accountability as he defended the state’s programs.
“And in spite of the headwinds we’re up against, Minnesota ranks economically, economic growth, happiness, number of people insured, education levels near the very top,” Walz said, pointing to a budget surplus that does not account for the alleged fraud losses.
“If folks are going to commit crimes here, thinking because our generous spirit and our programs that we have is going to give them some kind of cover, they are sadly mistaken,” he said.
Aside from the questions directed at Walz, RedState Editor Bob Hoge reported that Rep. Ilhan Omar has ties to at least two individuals linked to the alleged schemes.
Omar was pressed about the situation during an interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper.
“I think what happened, um, is that, you know, when you have these, kind of new programs that are, um, designed to help people, you’re oftentimes relying on third parties to be able to facilitate,” Omar said.
“And I just think that a lot of the COVID programs that were set up — they were set up so quickly that a lot of the guardrails did not get created.”
During a recent cabinet meeting, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the situation in her remarks to President Trump.
“That wacko Governor Walz either is an idiot, or he did it on purpose,” Noem said.
Loeffler added that the fraud reflects problems she attributes to the “Democratic socialist welfare state.”
“It’s massive fraud where officials look the other way, enrich themselves for it, and then hardworking Minnesotans, hardworking Americans pay for it in the form of taxes,” she said.
RedState reporter Nick Arama noted that the Somali-linked fraud is under investigation and that Walz is being scrutinized in connection with the allegations.
A whistleblower claiming to speak for hundreds of Minnesota Department of Human Services employees alleged Walz was “100% responsible.” Officials said the schemes have allegedly been ongoing for years.
