Keith Ellison mocked over ‘Scam Stopper’ video amid billions in fraud scandals

"Scammers think Minnesotans are easy targets. They're wrong," Ellison says in the video. "If you plan to scam Minnesotans, think again. You're stepping into the wrong ring."

By
Jenna Gloeb
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Ellison
Screenshot from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's "Scam Stopper" video (Keith Ellison/X)

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is facing intense mockery and backlash after posting a promotional video portraying himself as a tough-on-crime “scam stopper,” a message critics called ironic and tone-deaf amid revelations of up to $9 billion in fraud in Minnesota government programs.

The video, titled “Scam Stopper Showdown,” was shared on social media and depicts Ellison as a boxer entering the ring to battle scammers, with an announcer hailing him as “the people’s lawyer” in a mock prizefight setting.

“Scammers think Minnesotans are easy targets. They’re wrong,” Ellison says in the video. “If you plan to scam Minnesotans, think again. You’re stepping into the wrong ring.”

Critics say message clashes with fraud reality

The video arrives as Minnesota continues to grapple with what federal prosecutors have described as unprecedented fraud across Medicaid and other publicly-funded programs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson has described the fraud activity as “industrial-scale” and “staggering,” stating Minnesota has become a hub for large-scale fraud and money laundering activity. Investigators have also described “fraud tourism,” in which out-of-state actors allegedly exploited weak oversight in Minnesota to access taxpayer-funded programs.

Critics argue Ellison, as the state’s chief legal officer, has failed to prevent systemic fraud schemes while now publicly posturing as a defender against scams.

Ellison recently declined to meet with Alpha News reporter Liz Collin. His receptionist told Collin during an office visit that Ellison would not — and would never — grant an interview with the 20-year news veteran.

Online backlash and mockery

Ellison’s “Scam Stopper” video quickly drew an onslaught of mockery from conservatives and others who accused Ellison of hypocrisy amid revelations of widespread fraud across Minnesota’s Medicaid and public assistance programs.

“Arsonist claims to be fire fighter,” wrote U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in a post on X.

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer added, “Spare us your feigned outrage, Keith. You’ve done nothing but enable and exacerbate fraud in Minnesota.”

“There are about 9 billion reasons you’re wrong,” RealClearPolitics President Tom Bevan said of Ellison’s video, which has been viewed nearly one million times on X and has more than 7,500 responses.

Prior audio raised questions about Ellison’s conduct

Ellison has previously faced scrutiny over a December 2021 audio recording obtained by the Center of the American Experiment that captured a private meeting in his office with individuals who later became defendants in the Feeding Our Future fraud case.

In the 54-minute recording, Ellison is heard pledging to “help” attendees who complained about state agency oversight and alleging discrimination against East African-owned businesses.

At points in the recording, Ellison says the Feeding Our Future issues had not “come to my attention,” statements that appear to conflict with his public claim in 2022 that his office had been “deeply involved for two years” in holding the nonprofit accountable.

Some participants in the meeting later made campaign donations to Ellison or his son, Minneapolis City Council member Jeremiah Ellison. Federal authorities raided Feeding Our Future one month after the meeting.

Feeding Our Future is the largest COVID-19 relief fraud scheme uncovered in the country, involving more than $250 million in stolen taxpayer funds.

Jenna Gloeb
Website

Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.

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