Amid allegations of mishandling federal funds during the pandemic, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been summoned by a House GOP-led committee. The subpoena focuses on a $250 million fraud scandal involving a nonprofit organization tasked with feeding low-income children.
Walz, who is also the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, faces scrutiny from the House Education and the Workforce Committee, led by Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx of New York.
USA Today reported that the committee issued subpoenas on Wednesday, seeking documents and testimony about the governor's role in the Feeding Our Future scandal.
The scandal involves Feeding Our Future, a Minnesota-based nonprofit accused of grossly misusing federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were intended to assist needy children by providing meals.
The controversy began when it was revealed that Feeding Our Future, established in 2017 by Aimee Bock, had escalated its federal funding from less than $3 million to nearly $200 million by 2021. By February 2022, the nonprofit had dissolved amid accusations of committing the largest pandemic-related fraud in the U.S.
In early 2022, allegations surfaced about the massive fraud under the watch of the Minnesota Department of Education.
Reports indicated that funds meant for meals for children were siphoned off for luxuries, including homes, cars, and jewelry by the individuals involved.
By June 2024, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor reported that the Department of Education's inadequate oversight allowed the fraud to proliferate. This report added fuel to the scrutiny of Governor Walz's administration's actions or inactions during the scandal's development.
Following the scandal, Governor Walz proposed reforms including the creation of an inspector general within the education department to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Despite these efforts, Republicans, including the GOP Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, have vocally criticized Walz for not holding his appointees accountable.
In response to the subpoena and the cover letter from Rep. Foxx, which claims Walz had knowledge of the administration's handling of funds, a spokesperson for Walz reaffirmed their cooperation with the FBI in addressing the fraud. The governor has denied neglecting the investigation into the nonprofit, maintaining his administration took proactive steps once the issue surfaced.
The narrative of the defense presented by Walz dates back to September 2022, asserting, "We caught this fraud. We caught it very early. We alerted the right people. We were taken to court. We were sued. We were threatened with going to jail. We stuck with it."
Despite Walz's claims, the course of the investigation has been fraught with complexities, including legal battles.
In 2021, a county judge ostensibly ordered the resumption of funding to Feeding Our Future, although this was later contested by the judge who denied such an order was ever issued.
The case took another turn when a Minnesota man pleaded guilty in 2024 to bribing a juror during the fraud case trial involving seven defendants, highlighting the extensive measures taken by some involved to manipulate the proceedings.
As the deadline of September 18 approaches for Walz to respond to the subpoena, the case remains a pivotal element in his political career, especially with his vice-presidential nomination. This development tests the resilience of Walz's administration amidst one of the most significant fraudulent schemes arising from the pandemic era.
