House Oversight probes Walz over MN COVID fraud
House Oversight, led by Rep. James Comer, has opened a probe into Gov. Tim Walz over what Republicans describe as nearly $1 billion in Minnesota COVID-era school meals fraud, citing allegations that some charged individuals donated to state officials and prompting Rep. Ilhan Omar to demand prosecution if any terrorism links emerge. Federal investigations — including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a new Treasury probe and DOJ actions — have produced at least 77 indictments, uncovered fictitious providers and luxury purchases, recovered roughly $60 million of an estimated $250 million in some counts, produced lengthy prison terms and restitution orders, and released trial exhibits showing money moved overseas (including to China and Kenya) even as investigators say they have found no evidence funds went to al-Shabaab.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- House Oversight launched a probe last week into the Minnesota COVID-era "Feeding Our Future" fraud; Rep. Ilhan Omar said any proven terrorism link would be a "failure of the FBI" and called for prosecution if such links are found, while allegations that charged individuals donated to Minnesota officials (per Bessent) have added political dimensions to congressional scrutiny.
- The Treasury Department has opened a new probe as part of renewed federal investigations; the U.S. Attorney’s Office says roughly $60 million has been recovered so far out of an estimated $250 million stolen, and at least 77 individuals have been indicted in Minnesota.
- Federal prosecutors and reporting describe recovered assets including luxury properties and cars; one defendant was ordered last month to pay $48 million in restitution and received a 10‑year prison sentence.
- Sentencing updates include Abdimajid Mohamed Nur (10 years and $48M restitution) and Abdiaziz Shafii Farah (28‑year sentence).
- CBS obtained federal trial exhibits showing how fraud proceeds were spent and moved overseas, including transfers to China and Kenya, but investigators told CBS they have found no evidence that funds went to al‑Shabaab.
- Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson says 22 HSS‑linked entities registered at St. Paul’s Griggs‑Midway Building were "purely fictitious" and collectively billed about $8 million between January 2024 and May 2025; Minnesota DHS has launched roughly 40 investigations into providers tied to that address following FBI searches.
- Brilliant Minds Services allegedly accounted for about $2.3 million of the fraudulent claims; four defendants (Moktar Hassan Aden, Mustafa Dayib Ali, Khalid Ahmed Dayib and Abdifitah Mohamud Mohamed) have been charged, with alleged links to Foundation First Services LLC.
- Local impact: Minneapolis officials are bracing for an influx of ICE agents after the announcement of a new operation tied to the broader federal enforcement activity.
đź“Š Analysis & Commentary (5)
"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."
"A Fox News opinion piece critiques broadcast networks for focusing on attacks on President Trump and identity politics rather than thoroughly reporting the Minnesota 'Feeding Our Future' fraud and alleged connections to local Democratic figures like Rep. Ilhan Omar."
"A Fox News opinion piece criticizing Chuck Schumer’s silence on the Minnesota Somali‑linked fraud scandal and urging revival of his old proposal for a federal Office of Citizenship and New Americans to promote assimilation, English and civic education as a preventive fix."
đź“° Sources (5)
- Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson says 22 HSS-linked entities registered at St. Paul’s Griggs-Midway Building were 'purely fictitious' and collectively billed ~$8 million between Jan 2024 and May 2025.
- Minnesota DHS conducted ~40 investigations into providers tied to the Griggs-Midway address following FBI searches.
- Brilliant Minds Services allegedly accounted for ~$2.3 million of the claims; four defendants (Moktar Hassan Aden, Mustafa Dayib Ali, Khalid Ahmed Dayib, Abdifitah Mohamud Mohamed) have been charged, including a link to Foundation First Services LLC.
- 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.