Amid federal investigations into Minnesota’s pandemic meal fraud, a venture capital firm tied to Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband quietly removes its leadership roster—including former Obama officials—while questions swirl over the family’s financial ties to the scandal.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A venture capital firm owned by Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband, Tim Mynett, has deleted the names of its top officers and advisors from its website, including several former Obama administration officials, as federal and public scrutiny intensifies over the company’s explosive financial growth and its potential connections to Minnesota’s $250 million pandemic meal fraud scheme.
The firm, Rose Lake Capital, launched in 2022, reported zero assets in its early filings but ballooned to $25 million in value within a year, ultimately claiming $60 million in assets under management. Despite its stated “deep global networks built from on-the-ground work in more than 80 countries,” the company listed a WeWork address in Washington, D.C. as its business location and held less than $1,000 in assets as recently as 2023.
Between September and October 2025, as the Department of Justice expanded its fraud charges against individuals involved in the Minnesota meal program scandal, Rose Lake Capital removed all references to its nine officers and advisors from its website. Among those erased were:
- Adam Ereli, a lobbyist and former U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain under President Obama
- Max Baucus, a former U.S. Senator and Obama’s Ambassador to China
- Alex Hoffman, an associate of the DNC Finance Chair
- William Derrough, a former DNC treasurer
- Keith Mestrich, the former CEO of Amalgamated Bank, which has been called the “institutional bank of the Democratic Party”
The deletions occurred as federal prosecutors continued to unveil indictments tied to the largest pandemic-related fraud scheme in U.S. history, in which fraudsters allegedly stole millions by submitting false claims for reimbursement under a federally funded child nutrition program.
Omar’s Legislative Role and the MEALS Act
The scandal traces back to 2020, when Omar introduced the MEALS Act in Congress. The legislation eased oversight of government-sponsored meal programs during the pandemic, allowing organizations to distribute food with minimal verification. Critics argue that the relaxed regulations created an opening for fraud, enabling operators to bill the government for millions of meals that were never served.
Omar, who was seen in a resurfaced video serving food at a Minnesota restaurant now central to the fraud investigation, has stood by her legislative push. When questioned by reporters last week, she dismissed regrets, stating:
“Absolutely not, it did help feed kids.”
Yet, federal investigators have charged multiple individuals—including Salim Ahmed Said and Guhaad Hashi Said—with exploiting the program, alleging they pocketed millions in taxpayer dollars while providing little to no actual meals to children.
Political Repercussions and Calls for Accountability
The case has drawn sharp criticism from opponents, including former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly labeled Minnesota a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity“ under Democratic Governor Tim Walz. Kiersten Pels, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, accused Omar and Walz of turning a blind eye to the fraud:
“While working families were being ripped off by a massive welfare scam, Omar’s campaign took money from convicted fraudsters, her husband launched a firm that suddenly ballooned in value, and [Gov.] Tim Walz looked the other way.”
Omar’s husband, Tim Mynett, a political consultant, founded Rose Lake Capital shortly after the fraud scheme unfolded. The firm’s rapid financial ascent—from zero reported value to $60 million in assets—has raised further questions about the source of its funding and whether it benefited from connections to the scandal.
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations
As the DOJ’s probe continues, the removal of high-profile names from Rose Lake Capital’s website has fueled speculation about the firm’s transparency and its ties to the fraud case. The company has not publicly addressed the deletions or its financial growth, and Omar has not responded to requests for comment on the overlap between her legislative actions, her husband’s business, and the fraud allegations.
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