GOP House Oversight panel expands probe into Minnesota social service to look into possible coverup

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer said Monday his panel is expanding its probe into "massive fraud and money laundering" in Minnesota’s social services program under Democratic Gov Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison’s watch.

The Kentucky Republican also said the expanded probe will look into whether the state attempted to cover up the fraud scheme and/or retaliate against whistle-blowers who exposed problems in the taxpayer-funded program.

Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged dozens of people for allegedly stealing over $240 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program through the state-based nonprofit Feeding Our Future.

The pandemic-era theft is now estimated to be roughly $9 billion and is being called "industrial-scale fraud." 

“Whistle-blowers have made it clear that American taxpayers were defrauded in Minnesota, raising serious questions about whether Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison failed to act or was complicit in the theft," Comer said in a statement.

He also said the expanded probe will include requesting information from the Treasury and Justice departments as well as transcribed interviews with Minnesota state officials. 

"While Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison turn a blind eye to taxpayer fraud, the House Oversight Committee is acting decisively and will use its full power to protect hardworking taxpayers,” Comer also said.