Congressman Nick Langworthy Demands Federal Probe into Alleged Minnesota Social Services Fraud

Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., has called for a sweeping federal investigation into alleged fraud within Minnesota’s social services programs, claiming billions of dollars may have been stolen and exposing critical gaps in oversight when federal funds flow through state agencies.

Langworthy, a member of the House Oversight Committee, stated that the situation in Minnesota should alarm taxpayers nationwide because states are often entrusted with managing federally supported programs under limited federal scrutiny. He described the matter as “really scares the hell” out of him and warned that similar fraudulent schemes could emerge elsewhere.

The New York Republican identified Minnesota as a test case for accountability breakdowns and scheduled a hearing next week, demanding that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appear before Congress on February 10. Langworthy argued that the alleged misconduct extends beyond child care to include healthcare and home care claims, describing such patterns as resembling “organized crime” operating in plain sight.

He also linked the controversy to political incentives, accusing Democratic leaders of prioritizing rapid spending over safeguards. Langworthy noted that state governments sometimes “shovel the money out the door” without addressing critical issues, creating vulnerabilities for abuse of federal funds.

Langworthy further expanded his critique to other states, naming New York, California, and Michigan as areas warranting closer scrutiny due to high levels of government spending. He cited Minnesota’s Somali community as a focal point of allegations and warned that large immigrant populations could become targets for exploitation.

In additional remarks about New York City politics, Langworthy criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani, arguing his platform could accelerate job losses and investment outflows. He contended that the mayor’s role should be administrative rather than “social engineering.” The lawmaker also expressed concerns that Governor Kathy Hochul might face pressure to accommodate Mamdani’s agenda, potentially leading to higher taxes that would force affluent residents and businesses to relocate to lower-tax states.

Langworthy emphasized that Congress should pursue prosecutions if investigations confirm crimes and called for elected officials who ignored warning signs to face consequences. He framed the upcoming Oversight Committee hearing as an early step toward a “full-blown investigation” that could result in criminal referrals.