House Oversight probes Walz over MN COVID fraud
House Oversight, led by Rep. James Comer, has opened a probe into Gov. Tim Walz over allegations of nearly $1 billion in Minnesota COVID-relief fraud, a politically charged inquiry amplified by claims that some charged individuals donated to state officials and Rep. Ilhan Omar’s call for prosecution if any terrorism link is found. Federal authorities — including DOJ, the FBI and a new Treasury probe — have indicted at least 77 people, recovered roughly $60 million of an estimated $250 million stolen, secured sentences such as 10 years and $48 million restitution for Abdimajid Mohamed Nur and 28 years for Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, and say investigators have found no evidence funds were sent to al-Shabaab.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- House Oversight opened a probe last week into the Minnesota "Feeding Our Future" COVID fraud; Rep. Ilhan Omar said officials should pursue prosecution if any terrorism link is proven.
- Federal investigators told CBS there is no evidence that fraud funds were sent to al-Shabaab, countering terrorism speculation tied to the case.
- The Treasury Department has launched a new probe as part of renewed federal investigations into the Feeding Our Future scheme, overlapping with the House Oversight review.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office estimates roughly $250 million was stolen in the scheme, with about $60 million recovered to date; at least 77 individuals have been indicted.
- Federal trial exhibits obtained by CBS detail how fraud proceeds were spent and moved overseas, including transfers to China and Kenya.
- Recent sentencing updates: Abdimajid Mohamed Nur was ordered to pay $48 million in restitution and received a 10-year prison term; Abdiaziz Shafii Farah received a 28-year sentence.
- Allegations that some charged individuals donated to Minnesota officials (per Bessent) have added political dimensions relevant to congressional scrutiny.
- Minneapolis officials are bracing for an influx of ICE agents following the announcement of a new operation tied to the broader enforcement effort.
đź“Š Relevant Data
37.5% of adult Somali immigrants in Minnesota live in poverty, compared to 6.9% of native-born adults, based on 2014-2023 data.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
39% of working-age Somali immigrants in Minnesota have no high school diploma, compared to 5% of natives, based on 2014-2023 data.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
58.2% of working-age Somali immigrants in Minnesota speak English less than very well, compared to 0.7% of natives, based on 2014-2023 data.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
54% of Somali immigrant-headed households in Minnesota receive food stamps, compared to 7% of native-headed households, based on 2014-2023 data.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
đź“Š Analysis & Commentary (3)
"A critical opinion piece arguing that Minnesota’s Somali community and political leaders must confront the Feeding Our Future/pandemic aid fraud squarely rather than hide behind identity‑politics narratives, using the Walz probe as an example of a wider cultural unwillingness to state uncomfortable truths."
"A critical opinion piece arguing that Minnesota’s large pandemic‑era food‑aid frauds—centered in the Feeding Our Future prosecutions—reveal systemic oversight failures and have become a politically explosive reflection of tensions over immigration and assimilation, putting Gov. Walz and national Democrats on the defensive."
"An opinion piece criticizing Minnesota’s cannabis rollout as a DEI‑driven, politically captured program that produced market failures and corruption risks—linking those failures to the larger 'Feeding Our Future' fraud probe and blaming Gov. Tim Walz and Democratic policies for prioritizing identity‑based giveaways over competence and accountability."
đź“° Sources (4)
- CBS obtained and released federal trial exhibits detailing how fraud proceeds were spent and moved overseas, including to China and Kenya.
- Sentencing updates: 10-year sentence and $48M restitution for Abdimajid Mohamed Nur; 28-year sentence for Abdiaziz Shafii Farah.
- Investigators told CBS there is no evidence funds went to al-Shabaab, countering speculation as the House probe unfolds.
- Fox reports a new Treasury Department probe as part of renewed federal investigations into the Feeding Our Future fraud.
- U.S. Attorney’s Office estimate: about $60 million has been recovered to date out of roughly $250 million stolen.
- At least 77 individuals have been indicted in Minnesota in connection with the scheme.
- A defendant was ordered last month to pay $48 million in restitution and received a 10-year prison sentence.
- Minneapolis officials are bracing for an influx of ICE agents following announcement of a new operation.
- CBS notes House Oversight launched its probe last week and includes Rep. Ilhan Omar’s reaction and calls for prosecution if any terrorism link is proven.
- Bessent’s allegation that charged individuals donated to Minnesota officials adds political dimensions relevant to congressional scrutiny.