House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has opened a sweeping investigation into what he calls “widespread fraud” across Minnesota’s taxpayer-funded social services programs during Democrat Governor Tim Walz’s administration — and the alleged cover-ups that followed.
In letters sent to both Gov. Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Chairman Comer demanded documents and internal communications he says are necessary to uncover how hundreds of millions in federal welfare dollars were stolen on their watch — and why whistleblowers say state officials refused to stop it.
“Millions of dollars were stolen, and reports indicate your administration was fully aware and chose not to act,” Comer wrote to Walz.
Federal prosecutors have already charged dozens of individuals in what has become one of the largest COVID-era fraud events in the nation’s history. Among the schemes under scrutiny:
$240+ million stolen from the Federal Child Nutrition Program through Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future
$104 million allegedly stolen from the state housing stabilization program
$14 million billed fraudulently for autism services never provided
Those involved reportedly pocketed taxpayer dollars to buy luxury homes, cars and overseas assets — while claiming to feed children and house the homeless.
Reports cited by Oversight Republicans say Minnesota officials ignored red flags, failed to intervene and even deleted data that would expose the extent of the fraud. Some whistleblower accounts allege that stolen funds were funneled overseas, including to foreign terrorist networks — serious claims now central to Congress’s inquiry.
One of the most explosive accusations: Comer cites reports that Walz was “caught on tape” promising to assist individuals now tied to the fraud — during a conversation that involved campaign donations from community leaders.
Days later, according to Comer’s letter, Walz and his son received contributions from those same sources.
The Oversight Committee is demanding answers on whether political favoritism allowed corruption to flourish — and whether state leaders punished whistleblowers instead of fraudsters.
“Whistleblowers have indicated that DHS employees are destroying evidence,” Comer wrote to Attorney General Ellison. “The Committee expects you will preserve all evidence.”
Comer has given Walz and Ellison until Dec. 17 to turn over documents and prove their administration wasn’t complicit in one of the most shocking fraud scandals in U.S. welfare history.
This story is developing — and conservatives argue that Minnesota’s failures demonstrate exactly what happens when Democrats grow government programs faster than they can prevent corruption.
