Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash Calls for Governor Walz Resignation Amid Alleged $9 Billion Medicaid Fraud Scandal

Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash said Tuesday that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz should be held responsible and step down following allegations of sweeping fraud across state-run social services programs, stating the governor ignored warnings and left federal investigators to unravel misconduct.

Plechash described the scandal as far beyond the $250 million Feeding Our Future case, which he said initially seemed shocking but later proved “just the tip of the iceberg.” He added that Minnesota has become “ground zero” for a major fraud investigation affecting programs for children, seniors, and vulnerable families.

“The federal prosecutors came in, and federal auditors came in,” Plechash said. “Now we have multiple House committees investigating what they describe as schemes upon schemes in our social services system.”

Plechash cited estimates suggesting Minnesota Medicaid fraud could exceed $9 billion dating back to 2018, noting that while the Walz administration disputes the total amount, it does not deny the existence of fraud. “Walz has tried to redirect the scandal by balking at that number,” Plechash said.

He also criticized Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison for failing to investigate and prosecute emerging fraud. “You’ve got the CEO who should have overseen this properly,” Plechash stated, “but the attorney general’s responsibility is to go after and prosecute fraud when it occurs.”

Plechash highlighted that alleged fraud appears concentrated in Minnesota’s Somali community but emphasized that law-abiding residents are also appalled and deserve accountability. He described the situation as a “stain” on the community while calling for prosecution of those responsible.