Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is under intense scrutiny as a U.S. House committee investigates his administration’s oversight of a $250 million COVID-19 fraud scandal.
At a Glance
- Gov. Tim Walz faces a subpoena from a House committee concerning the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal.
- Feeding Our Future is accused of diverting $250 million intended for child nutrition during the pandemic.
- The Republican-led House committee issued subpoenas to Walz and USDA leaders.
- Walz has until Sept. 18 to provide necessary documents and information.
Scrutiny Mounts Over Handling of Feeding Our Future Fraud
Governor Tim Walz is under subpoena from a U.S. House committee regarding the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal. The Minnesota-based nonprofit is accused of misappropriating $250 million in federal funds meant for low-income children’s nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics argue that a lack of oversight from the Walz administration allowed this significant fraud to proceed.
The Republican-led House Education and the Workforce Committee has taken steps to subpoena Walz, leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Inspector General. Committee chairwoman Rep. Virginia Foxx alleges that Walz and his administration had prior knowledge of the fraud but failed to act effectively. Walz is required to submit the necessary documents and information to the committee by Sept. 18.
Critics are blasting the Minnesota governor for what they claim was his failure to prevent a massive COVID-19 fraud scheme that has ensnared the state government. https://t.co/TkOJoY7pHn https://t.co/TkOJoY7pHn
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) August 7, 2024
Debate Over Timing and Legal Challenges
Gov. Walz has denied allegations that his administration delayed investigating Feeding Our Future, claiming they acted promptly but faced legal challenges. “We caught this fraud. We caught it very early. We alerted the right people,” Walz said in September 2022. “We were taken to court. We were sued. We were threatened with going to jail. We stuck with it.”
The education department then resumed funding the nonprofit under court orders, a claim the judge denies. Meanwhile, Walz has proposed reforms, including installing an inspector general in the education department and expanding the Office of Grants Management to avoid future lapses in oversight.
Tim Walz’s $250M state program to feed hungry kids fraudulently spent on luxury goods, overseas real estate https://t.co/c3wLJDFvIC
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 12, 2024
Federal and State Accountability
The House Committee has accused Walz of failing to manage an “appalling abuse of a federal COVID-era program,” especially since Feeding Our Future received nearly $200 million in federal funds by 2021. Federal prosecutors charged Aimee Bock, the founder of the nonprofit, along with over 70 other individuals related to the fraud. Defendants allegedly used stolen funds for luxury items and real estate.
Republican New York Chairwoman Virginia Foxx admonished Walz: “Statements in the press by you and your representatives indicate that you and other executive officers were involved, or had knowledge of, (the Minnesota Department of Education’s) administration of the (nonprofit) and responsibilities and actions regarding the massive fraud.”
Minnesota Republicans lay responsibility for oversight failures at Walz’s feet. A June 2024 report from Minnesota’s Office of the Legislative Auditor criticized the Minnesota Department of Education’s failures in preventing the fraud. Walz acknowledged administrative lapses and mentioned significant leadership changes post-fraud. Still, critics are skeptical about his suitability for future office, especially in light of the magnitude of this scandal.
The Long Arm of the Law
The House Committee, led by Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, has forced the administration to produce documents detailing Walz’s responsibilities in the fraud. “The Committee must now compel the production of responsive documents that will show the extent of the actions taken by you and your administration relating to MDE’s administration of the FCNP,” reads Foxx’s letter.
The fraud involving Feeding Our Future began in the spring of 2020, during a period of relaxed COVID-19 regulatory practices. To date, over 20 people have either pleaded guilty or been convicted; none have yet been sentenced, heightening anxieties over the overarching responsibility and accountability of Gov. Tim Walz in this monumental fraud case.
Sources:
- GOP-led House committee subpoenas Tim Walz in $250M COVID fraud investigation
- Critics blast new VP nominee Tim Walz for ‘massive’ COVID-19 fraud ‘under his watch’
- Tim Walz hit with House subpoena for records on $250M Minn. COVID fraud
