A timeline of the ‘largest COVID-19 fraud scheme' in the United States
Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced at the start of the month that he had opened an investigation into "feckless mismanagement" by Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz that allowed what...
By Fox News · Fox News
Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced at the start of the month that he had opened an investigation into "feckless mismanagement" by Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz that allowed what U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel Rosen called "the largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the country." Days later, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform announced it was launching its own investigation into "widespread fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs under Governor Tim Walz’s watch," as well as "the state’s efforts to cover it up, and retaliation against whistleblowers who sought to protect taxpayer dollars." These announcements exploded into the public consciousness a Minnesota fraud scheme by Somali-run non-profits that siphoned hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from child-nutrition and Medicaid housing programs. Here is what is known about how the scandal unfolded. EMMER SLAMS WALZ, DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY OVER ALLEGED RETALIATION TIED TO MINNESOTA FRAUD On Nov. 7, 2016, Feeding Our Future, the organization that, according to the DOJ, was the "mastermind" behind the largest share of the fraud, was launched. Though the Minnesota Department of Education initially denied FOF’s application to be a sponsor in the state’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the agency ultimately approved the nonprofit on appeal in 2017, according to the Minnesota Legislative Auditor. In August 2018, FOF started claiming CACFP meals; initially claiming about 13,000 meals/snacks that month. The Minnesota Department of Education conducted its only administrative review of FOF this same year. According to the Office of the Minnesota Legislative Auditor, the review resulted in "serious findings that required follow-up, but MDE never conducted a follow-up review." Through participation in the Federal Child Nutrition program, FOF received $3.4 million in 2019. Monthly tax dollar reimbursements for meal and snack counts by FOF ballooned by abo…