House Oversight Chairman James Comer Slams Gov. Tim Walz Over Minnesota Fraud Scandal
WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., launched a blistering critique of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Wednesday, accusing him of being “asleep at the wheel” as a sprawling fraud investigation into state social services programs unfolds. The hearing, which began at 10 a.m. ET, focuses on allegations that millions of dollars intended for vulnerable Minnesotans have been stolen, with Comer questioning whether Walz and other top state officials were negligent or complicit in the scandal.
In his opening statement, Comer highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that taxpayer-funded programs designed to support needy children, autistic individuals, low-income and disabled residents, and Medicaid recipients have been targeted by fraudsters. “Minnesota’s social services — which are funded by you, the American taxpayer — are being ripped off. The most vulnerable are suffering as a result,” Comer said. He specifically pointed to individuals within Minnesota’s Somali community who have been implicated in the alleged theft.
The probe initially centered on the Federal Child Nutrition Program, where federal prosecutors charged multiple defendants with stealing over $240 million through the Minnesota-based nonprofit Feeding Our Future. However, the investigation has since expanded to include other state-run programs, including childcare providers receiving state funding. U.S. attorneys have suggested that the total amount lost to fraud could be in the billions, a figure that Walz has disputed, accusing Republicans of politicizing the issue.
Comer’s remarks underscored the human toll of the fraud. “How many children have gone hungry because fraudsters stole money that was intended to provide them with food? How many autistic children were denied services because fraudsters instead sent this money overseas? How many low-income seniors, people with disabilities, or those with mental illnesses were denied access to housing because fraudsters drained resources and pocketed the money for themselves?”
The Minnesota fraud scandal has drawn national attention, with House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, also weighing in on the matter. Comer’s hearing aims to hold accountable those responsible and to scrutinize the role of state leadership, including Attorney General Keith Ellison and the broader Democratic leadership in Minnesota.
Governor Walz has held press conferences defending his administration’s handling of the situation and has refused calls to resign, stating emphatically, “Over my dead body.” His office maintains that the fraud is being exaggerated for political gain. Meanwhile, whistleblowers from Minnesota have reported feeling ignored or bullied into silence, further complicating the state’s response.
The House Oversight Committee’s investigation is part of a broader effort to address fraud in federally funded programs. The House Oversight Committee has jurisdiction over government accountability and is empowered to conduct such hearings. Additionally, federal prosecutors in Minnesota continue their work under the guidance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, which is leading criminal investigations related to the scandal.
As the hearing proceeds, Comer’s accusations set a confrontational tone, signaling that congressional Republicans will press Minnesota officials aggressively. The outcome may have significant implications for state governance and oversight of social service programs nationwide.
For further details on federal efforts to combat fraud, the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services provides resources and reports on investigations into Medicaid and other federally funded programs. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service continues to monitor the integrity of child nutrition programs across the country.
As this high-profile hearing unfolds, Minnesotans and taxpayers across the nation await answers on how billions in public funds may have been diverted, and what steps will be taken to prevent such abuses in the future.
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