A powerful committee in the US House of Representatives and the Treasury Department have launched separate investigations into a massive scandal. They are looking into allegations that over $1 billion was siphoned off from Minnesota's pandemic-era food assistance and other state programs. Shockingly, some of this stolen money is suspected to have ended up with the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab.
Parallel Federal Investigations Launched
House Oversight Committee Chairman, James Comer, announced his panel's probe, stating it will be a thorough investigation into Governor Tim Walz's failure to safeguard taxpayer dollars. Comer told The New York Post that Walz was warned about the massive fraud but failed to act. He alleged that criminals, including Somali terrorists, stole the funds while children suffered.
In a parallel move, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a federal probe on Monday. On social media platform X, he wrote that investigators are examining claims that, under the mismanagement of the Biden administration and Governor Walz, Minnesotans' tax dollars may have been diverted to Al-Shabaab.
The Feeding Our Future Scandal: Convictions and Claims
These investigations follow federal prosecutions linked to the Feeding Our Future scandal. US authorities say 78 people, many of Somali origin, were involved in diverting federal and state food program funds between 2020 and 2022. The money was used for personal luxuries like cars, travel, and real estate. The Department of Justice has secured convictions for 59 defendants so far.
A recent report by the Manhattan Institute, cited by Fox News, claims federal counter-terrorism sources confirmed that millions in stolen funds were sent to Somalia, where Al-Shabaab allegedly received a portion. This is a key focus of the Treasury probe.
Adding to the controversy, a whistleblower group representing Minnesota Department of Human Services employees alleged on X that Walz was 100% responsible for ignoring early warnings and that whistleblowers faced threats and repression. The account was suspended on Monday.
Political Blame Game and Audit Findings
Governor Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term, has defended his actions. His office told Fox News Digital that he welcomes an investigation if a connection to Al-Shabaab is found. Walz claims he tried to halt payments to Feeding Our Future as early as November 2020 but was blocked by litigation. He later said he attempted to stop the fraud in 2021 but blamed a Minnesota district judge for allowing payments to continue.
However, Judge John Guthmann rejected this, stating payments were made voluntarily by the state. A June 2024 audit by Minnesota's Office of the Legislative Auditor found that the state education department had created opportunities for fraud and maintained inadequate oversight during its payments to Feeding Our Future.
The scandal has become political fodder. Former President Donald Trump called Minnesota a hub of fraudulent money laundering. Walz, in turn, has criticized Trump, drawing a distinction between fraud and corruption during a television interview.
The twin investigations by Congress and the Treasury Department signal that this complex case, blending massive financial fraud with national security concerns, is far from over.
