Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said federal authorities are following money trails tied to Minnesota fraud schemes, citing alleged recordings involving Attorney General Keith Ellison as investigators expand their probe.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said federal investigators are examining what he described as “disturbing tapes” involving Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison as part of an expanding investigation into large-scale Somali-linked fraud, signaling aggressive enforcement and financial tracking by the Trump administration.
In an interview with The Blaze, Bessent said investigators are scrutinizing alleged audio recordings in which Ellison appears to discuss intervening on behalf of individuals later charged in major fraud cases. Bessent said the inquiry is focused on tracing financial flows connected to the schemes and determining whether political influence was improperly used to obstruct investigations.
“That’s part of following the money,” Bessent said, according to remarks highlighted by Rapid Response 47. He said the recordings allegedly capture Ellison speaking with donors who sought political favors to halt investigations. “I don’t want to get out ahead of the investigation. It’s going to be very methodical,” Bessent added.
Bessent said he expects the probe to reach beyond Minnesota if necessary. “I can guarantee you — when the bear trap snaps, we’re going to get these folks,” he said, adding that investigators are tracking assets potentially moved from the Minneapolis–St. Paul area to East Africa, including luxury properties and vehicles. “How the hell did this happen?” Bessent said, adding that President Donald Trump and the administration are outraged.
One leaked audio clip circulating online appears to show Ellison meeting with individuals later convicted in fraud cases, discussing his ability to contact agency heads or the governor to influence enforcement decisions. The clip has been shared widely on social media, including by The Evening Edit and Washington Free Beacon.
Ellison has denied wrongdoing. In an opinion column published by the Minnesota Star Tribune, he said he met with individuals “in good faith” and did not provide assistance or accept anything of value, stating that he took no action on their behalf.
Calls for further scrutiny have grown. Former White House press secretary and current Fox News anchor Dana Perino said Ellison should be compelled to testify, citing the leaked recordings. Speaking on Fox News’ “The Five,” Perino said the audio raises serious questions about whether political influence was promised in exchange for campaign contributions, comments later amplified by Conservative War Machine.
Federal officials have not publicly detailed the scope or timeline of the investigation, and no charges have been announced against Ellison. Bessent said the probe will proceed carefully and based on evidence, emphasizing that investigators are intent on uncovering how the fraud occurred and whether public officials played a role.
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