Minnesota Republicans are asking the Department of Justice to step in and investigate “the growing fraud in our state,” according to a letter sent to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The letter, signed by House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and Reps. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, and Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, explains how Minnesota has experienced “years of rampant unchecked fraud” due to the “failed leadership of Gov. Tim Walz, his agencies, and legislative Democrats.”
“Democrats’ refusal to show a modicum of concern about serious fraudulent activity has resulted in this disaster,” the letter says.
It then highlights “25 known instances of fraudulent or wasteful activity,” which accounts for “over $610 million in services that were never provided to needy Minnesotans.”
“We therefore seek assistance from the United States Department of Justice to investigate the Walz administration’s continuous inaction that is allowing this fraud to continue,” the letter adds. “Additionally, we urge the Trump Administration to move swiftly to nominate and confirm a new permanent U.S. Attorney for Minnesota to ensure their important work can continue.”
Robbins, one of the authors of the letter, chairs a new Minnesota House committee tasked with investigating fraud in state agencies. That committee held its first meeting Monday.
“The extent of fraud occurring under Governor Tim Walz’s administration is staggering, and the lack of accountability from state agencies is unacceptable,” said Speaker Demuth. “We are calling on the DOJ to step in where state leadership has failed. Minnesotans deserve better than Democrat leadership has given them over these last six years.”
In a press release, Republicans said they would like the DOJ to “launch a comprehensive investigation into fraud and mismanagement” in Minnesota.
Preparing for a possible run for a third term, Walz announced a package of “anti-fraud” legislative proposals earlier this year.
“Minnesotans have no tolerance for fraud. That’s why we created a state law enforcement unit to investigate and hold people accountable for these crimes, and why I’m calling on the legislature to pass our comprehensive anti-fraud package,” he said in a social media post Monday night.
The GOP’s letter comes as the alleged mastermind of a scheme to defraud the government of $250 million goes on trial this week in Minneapolis. Aimee Bock, the former CEO of a nonprofit called Feeding Our Future, allegedly orchestrated what has been described as the largest case of pandemic fraud in the country.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
