Federal authorities say an expanded enforcement surge is underway in Minnesota as agents move to dismantle widespread fraud schemes tied to public assistance programs.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday spotlighted what it described as Day 2 of a “massive operation” in Minnesota, as federal agents intensified enforcement actions aimed at widespread fraud involving state and federal programs.
DHS released video footage showing agents conducting searches and other enforcement activity as part of the ongoing effort, which officials say is focused on identifying individuals suspected of defrauding taxpayers.
“Our investigative agents are conducting a massive operation to identify, arrest, and remove criminals who are defrauding the American people,” DHS said in a statement posted on X. “We will root out this rampant fraud plaguing Minnesota.”
The federal surge follows renewed scrutiny of alleged fraud linked to daycare centers in the Minneapolis area, many operated by Somali residents, that are accused of abusing public assistance and childcare funding programs. Minnesota has been the subject of multiple investigations in recent years involving Medicaid, pandemic relief funds, and child nutrition initiatives.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Monday that Homeland Security Investigations agents are actively operating in Minneapolis as part of the crackdown.
“HSI @ICEGov are on the ground in Minneapolis right now conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud,” Noem wrote in a post on X.
FBI Director Kash Patel also announced an escalation in federal activity, saying authorities are focused on dismantling “large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.”
The latest enforcement push follows reporting by independent journalist Nick Shirley, who has alleged that Somali daycare centers in Minneapolis may have committed as much as $100 million in fraud tied to childcare assistance programs.
Minnesota’s most high-profile fraud case to date remains the Feeding Our Future scandal, which federal prosecutors described as the largest COVID-19-related fraud scheme in the country. The case involved roughly $300 million in pandemic relief funds intended to provide meals for children. Since 2022, authorities have charged 78 individuals, with 57 convicted or having pleaded guilty.
Federal prosecutor Joe Thompson has estimated that overall losses from fraud schemes in Minnesota could exceed $1 billion. Earlier this month, a federal prosecutor alleged that half or more of the approximately $18 billion in federal funds sent to support 14 Minnesota programs since 2018 may have been misappropriated.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat and the party’s 2024 vice presidential nominee, has said fraud will not be tolerated and pledged cooperation with federal authorities. Walz, who is seeking a third term in 2026, is expected to face heightened scrutiny over the issue during the upcoming election cycle.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said he plans to subpoena senior Minnesota officials, including Walz, to testify under oath as congressional investigators examine how the alleged fraud went undetected for years.
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