Minnesota Fraud Scandal Threatens to Involve State Leaders in Largest Pandemic Era Fraud Case

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota said on Friday that a sprawling fraud scandal in Minnesota might extend to the highest levels of state government, raising questions about the roles of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Rep. Ilhan Omar.

During an interview, Emmer stated ongoing investigations into pandemic-era fraud programs have uncovered what he described as the largest COVID-related fraud case in the country and warned that more cases continue to surface.

“It’s a major problem,” Emmer said. “We’re talking about over $1 billion in fraud and growing. There’s Medicaid fraud. There’s the Feeding Our Future fraud. It goes on and on.”

The Department of Justice stated that as of November 24, 78 defendants have been charged in the Feeding Our Future case, which involved misuse of a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Defendants allegedly diverted approximately $250 million of funds intended for feeding poor children to cover expenses such as luxury items, real estate, and overseas travel. Several defendants have pleaded guilty, with trials ongoing.

Emmer said Omar played a role in creating pandemic-era nutrition funding but stressed he does not know whether she had any involvement in the fraud itself. “Did Ilhan know? I have no idea,” Emmer said. “Was Ilhan involved? I’ve got the same questions.”

He also raised questions about Omar’s reported financial disclosures, noting that her net worth has been widely reported as having increased dramatically over recent years. “How do you go from a net worth of $65,000 on a $172,000 annual salary … and suddenly have $26 million to $31 million in just three years?” Emmer said, emphasizing that the figures are drawn from publicly available reports.

He did not allege wrongdoing but stated the circumstances warrant scrutiny.

Emmer broadened his criticism to include Walz and Ellison, both of whom took office in 2019. He accused Ellison of centralizing approval authority over investigations and blocking inquiries that could have uncovered fraud earlier. “When they came in,” Emmer said, “Keith Ellison announced there would be no more investigations without his approval.”

“He didn’t approve any of them. This thing has been allowed to go on.”

Emmer cited U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen’s statement that investigators are examining whether state leaders “looked the other way,” adding that accountability is necessary if wrongdoing is found. “If it goes to the highest levels of our government,” Emmer said, “they need to be held accountable.”