Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) on Thursday issued the following statement on the Committee’s efforts to hold Governor Tim Walz’s administration accountable for what has been called the “largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the nation”:
“A taxpayer-funded program to help hungry children was abused. As a result, children and taxpayers were negatively impacted. This is unacceptable. Although the USDA OIG was encouraged to investigate this fraud, it didn’t take action until the Committee’s investigation was underway. The internal USDA OIG review found a number of changes are necessary to ensure that the OIG handles fraud appropriately. The Committee is dedicated to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively and will continue to work with the USDA OIG to ensure this fraud doesn’t happen again,” said Chairwoman Foxx.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota charged 70 people associated with Minnesota-based Feeding our Future (FOF) between 2022-24 for alleged roles in defrauding the Department of Agriculture of more than $250 million in taxpayer funds. The money was intended to feed hungry children.
Thus far, five individuals have been convicted of fraud. The assistant U.S. attorney on the case said it isn’t just criminal, but “depraved and brazen.” Charges include federal programs bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.
In addition to looming trials, questions also remain about the role of the Minnesota Department of Education’s administration of the Federal Child Nutrition Programs and its oversight of FOF.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
On September 26, 2024, Chairwoman Foxx penned an op-ed for Fox News ripping Governor Walz for overseeing the “greatest grift in U.S. history”—a $250 million scheme that took funds from hungry children.
On September 4, 2024, Chairwoman Foxx issued a subpoena to Governor Tim Walz’s administration to hold it accountable in what has been called the “largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the nation.” Subpoenas were also issued to the Biden-Harris administration’s USDA and its Office of Inspector General.
On June 12, 2024, Chairwoman Foxx, joined by Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture Subcommittee Chairman Brad Finstad (R-MN), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), and Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), sent a letter to Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett requesting details on the MDE’s role in the situation.