Medicaid and Social Services Fraud

Sen. Josh Hawley told a Senate Homeland Security hearing that Minnesota AG Keith Ellison ignored whistleblowers about the Feeding Our Future child‑nutrition fraud after meeting with people tied to the scheme who he says asked him to "get investigators off their backs" and later funneled about $10,000 in campaign donations, urging Ellison be indicted; Ellison denied Hawley’s account and highlighted his office’s record of prosecuting fraud. The dispute unfolds against a wider crackdown — prosecutors have charged roughly 78 defendants with more than 60 convictions (including Aimee Bock’s conviction and $5 million forfeiture), federal agencies have launched audits and enforcement surges, and officials estimate Minnesota social‑services fraud could involve billions, prompting congressional probes and proposed legislation.