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Walz Tried to Dodges Blame Over $8 Billion Somali Fraud Scandal

Published

2 months ago

December 7, 2025

Walz Dodges Blame Over $8 Billion Welfare Fraud Scandal

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing one of the biggest welfare fraud scandals in American history, with federal officials warning that theft from state and federal aid programmes could top $8 billion.

The alleged fraud, centred on schemes that targeted food assistance, housing support, and services for vulnerable families, has highlighted serious gaps in oversight under Democratic Governor Tim Walz. As the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) ramp up investigations,

Tim Walz is under intense pressure for refusing to accept responsibility and instead pointing to federal Covid-era rules and partisan attacks.

What started as a few reports of oddities in child nutrition spending has grown into what prosecutors now describe as the largest Covid fraud case in the country. Shell companies, many reportedly linked to Minnesota’s Somali-American community, are accused of billing for services that never happened, then spending the cash on luxury cars, high-end goods, foreign transfers, and possibly terror-linked transactions.

So far, 78 people have been charged and more than 50 convicted, while the needs of vulnerable children and families were pushed aside in favour of yachts, mansions, and designer labels.

How the Fraud Grew

At the centre of the scandal is the Feeding Our Future case, involving a nonprofit that grew at astonishing speed during the Covid pandemic. The group received federal child nutrition funds that were distributed by the Minnesota Department of Education and meant to pay for meals for low-income children.

Instead, operators are accused of submitting invoices for millions of meals that never existed, with some sites operating as little more than paperwork mills pretending to serve food at $4.50 per fake meal.

DOJ documents outline how the fraud spiralled once rules were loosened in 2020. As pandemic emergency measures relaxed checks and documentation, Feeding Our Future’s annual budget jumped from about $3.4 million to around $200 million.

Insiders at the state agency flagged odd claims as far back as 2019, but meaningful action lagged. A 2022 state audit condemned officials for “creating opportunities for fraud” by brushing aside glaring warning signs, such as meal counts that made no sense and sites listed in strip malls with no proper verification.

The problems were not limited to food programmes. Similar scams cropped up in Housing Stabilization Services (HSS), a scheme created to keep older people and people with disabilities from becoming homeless. Launched in 2020 with a forecast cost of about $2.6 million, it exploded to $104 million in payments by 2024, with investigators now saying most of that money was fraudulent.

Some providers allegedly scraped names from rehab centres, then billed Medicaid for bogus counselling that never took place, pocketing about $61 million in just the first half of 2025. Another group is accused of netting $14 million through false claims for autism therapy, exploiting families desperate for real support.

Unemployment benefits were also hit. During the height of the pandemic, officials say roughly $500 million went out in fake jobless claims. The Centre of the American Experiment’s Minnesota Scandal Tracker now records more than $1.2 billion in confirmed losses since Walz took office in 2019. Even so, whistleblowers and some lawmakers now talk about a much higher figure.

Representative Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) has repeated concerns that the true total could reach $8 billion, which she said is “growing by the day”. That would exceed the state’s entire annual corrections budget and comes straight from programmes meant to help the poorest residents.

Critics, including former fraud investigator Kayseh Magan, blame political caution for the slow response. They argue that leading Democrats in Minnesota felt uneasy about targeting fraud in the Somali community, which numbers around 80,000 people and has political influence in the state.

Magan, himself Somali-American, has said it is “uncomfortable and true” that most defendants come from his community, while stressing that the offenders represent a small group exploiting the system. Photos showing convicted offender Abdul Dahir Ibrahim smiling alongside Walz and Representative Ilhan Omar have fuelled public anger and strengthened claims that cosy political relationships gave scammers cover.

Tim Walz’s Pushback: “I Take Responsibility for Putting People in Jail”

Governor Tim Walz, once marketed as an easy-going everyman, has become the political face of the scandal. On NBC’s “Meet the Press“, when asked about his responsibility, Walz replied, “Certainly, I take responsibility for putting people in jail.”

The remark has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. An anonymous account claiming to speak for 480 staff members at the Minnesota Department of Human Services called him “100% responsible” and accused his administration of ignoring alarms and punishing whistleblowers.

Walz’s defence has not convinced many sceptics. He has described Minnesota as a “well-run” state with “generous” programmes and has pointed to strong rankings in education and health coverage to argue that the system works overall, even with major fraud cases. Records and court filings tell a different story.

In 2020, a judge reprimanded state officials for cutting off payments to Feeding Our Future without proper procedure, a decision that delayed tougher action. Later, federal authorities asked the state to hold back on some moves to avoid tipping off targets. Even so, state audits have still faulted Walz’s team for earlier failures and poor controls.

On 3 December, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) opened a formal inquiry and demanded documents from Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison by 17 December. His letter accused the administration of a “cover-up”, citing reports of retaliation against staff who tried to expose fraud.

Comer asked, “What did your administration know, and when?” The U.S. Treasury is also looking at whether money stolen from welfare schemes might have moved to al-Shabaab through hawala networks, a type of informal money transfer, raising fresh concerns about national security.

Walz insists he has nothing to hide and says he welcomes review of the state’s actions, but he has attacked Republican critics for what he describes as anti-immigrant motives and election-year tactics. In a state where Somali voters have helped deliver key wins for Democrats, the political risks are obvious.

Some critics say that focusing on accountability could upset a core voting bloc. Social media is full of anger, with one user writing, “Walz’s Elmer Fudd act isn’t fooling anyone, this happened on his watch.”

Federal Investigators Move In: FBI and DOJ Take the Lead

With trust in state oversight weakening, federal agencies have stepped in as the main force tackling fraud in Minnesota’s welfare system. Since raids on Feeding Our Future sites began in 2022, the FBI and DOJ have brought charges against 78 people tied to that network alone. As recently as August 2025, three more defendants pleaded guilty to about $2.4 million in fake claims.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson described the situation as a “far-reaching fraud crisis swamping Minnesota” and praised FBI financial experts for piecing together complex chains of shell companies and bribes.

In September, eight more individuals were indicted in the Housing Stabilization Services case after a joint investigation by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services. BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said, “Criminals selfishly defraud these programmes, depriving vulnerable Minnesotans,” as investigators tracked stolen money into luxury goods from brands like Louis Vuitton and into foreign business accounts.

In one instance, a defendant is accused of washing about $1.38 million through personal bank accounts.

The investigations are still active and expanding. FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston has promised that investigators are “steadfast in holding accountable those who steal from underprivileged children.”

With questions mounting about possible links to al-Shabaab through hawala transfers, former counterterrorism officials have warned that yes, Covid fraud can feed into extremist networks abroad. Figures in former President Trump’s orbit have seized on the scandal, with ICE raids in Somali neighbourhoods and public comments painting Minnesota as a “fraud hub.”

Pressure on the Somali Community

Minnesota’s Somali community, which has become a central part of life in Minneapolis over the past three decades, now finds itself caught in the middle of a national controversy. Community leaders condemn efforts to “demonise an entire group fleeing civil war”, a line Walz echoed during his NBC interview.

Representative Ilhan Omar, who has faced renewed scrutiny for her connections to some involved figures, told CNN that “these Covid programmes were set up so quickly,” arguing that rushed design and weak controls opened the door to abuse.

Inside the community, tensions are rising. Some Somali Americans say they feel treated as suspects simply because of their background, while others demand a tougher response to those who exploited public trust. Social media comments show how raw the debate has become. One user ranted, “At least 75% of the Somali community on welfare, Walz, Omar, Ellison taking cuts?”

Right-wing commentators have linked the scandal to “open borders and expansive welfare”, while analyst David Asman and historian Victor Davis Hanson have accused Walz of refusing to speak plainly about the scale and nature of the problem.

Tim Walz’s Future in Doubt

As federal investigations press forward and new details emerge, the scandal is reshaping Minnesota’s political outlook. Walz is expected to seek re-election in 2026, but opponents already see an opening. Republicans frame the saga as proof that Democrats have turned Minnesota into a “failed state”.

House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) has used the case to hammer home a simple message, asking voters which party they trust with their tax money. Media figures have joined in, with Meghan McCain calling for Walz to resign and calling the welfare scandal “one of the greatest frauds in American history.”

Efforts to claw back stolen funds have moved slowly. So far, only a small part of the billions believed to be lost has been recovered. Policymakers are talking about new guardrails, such as tougher background checks for providers, real-time data tracking, and dedicated fraud units with more independence.

For now, though, many Minnesotans feel punished twice, once when the money was stolen, and again as the state tries to repair broken systems using the same taxpayers’ funds.

The sense of betrayal runs deep. Posts on X warn that “what we uncover will shock America,” and many residents say their faith in state government has sunk to a new low. While lakes and natural beauty still define Minnesota in the public imagination, trust in public institutions seems to sink further every week.

Whether Governor Walz will take full responsibility for what critics call an £8 billion disaster, or continue to argue that federal rules, courts, and political enemies tied his hands, remains at the centre of the fight. Federal agencies keep filing cases, new defendants keep appearing in court, and public outrage continues to grow. For now, the scandal shows no sign of fading from view.

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Ilhan Omar’s ‘Exploding’ Wealth Investigated By Federal Authorities

Published

32 minutes ago

January 21, 2026

VORNews

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), has started an inquiry into Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and her husband, Tim Mynett.

The review centers on a steep rise in the couple’s reported household wealth and whether their financial disclosures meet congressional ethics rules. Federal authorities are also said to be involved, though the exact scope is still unclear.

Republicans point to Omar’s 2024 congressional financial disclosure as the trigger. In that filing, assets connected to Mynett’s business interests appear to rise sharply in a short period. Lawmakers say they want to understand where the money came from and whether the reporting was accurate.

Committee staff are reviewing Omar’s disclosures and related records. The main focus is on spousal assets tied to Mynett’s ventures that moved from low or near-zero values to multi-million-dollar ranges.

Chairman Comer called the increase unusual and said the committee may subpoena Mynett as part of the review. The committee is looking at disclosure accuracy, any outside income, business ties, and whether the filings meet federal ethics and transparency standards.

Reported assets that rose quickly

Public filings show large changes tied to two entities:

Rose Lake Capital LLC, a venture capital firm Mynett co-founded, was listed at $1 to $1,000 in 2023, then reported at $5 million to $25 million in 2024.
eStCru LLC, described as a California-based winery, moved from $15,001 to $50,000 to $1 million to $5 million during the same period.

Minnesota fraud

Those shifts led to estimates placing the couple’s combined net worth at roughly $6 million to $30 million. Earlier disclosures painted a very different picture, including periods around 2019 where Omar reported limited resources and debt, such as student loans.

Investigators also note that Omar’s House salary, about $174,000 per year, doesn’t explain the jump on its own.

The Oversight inquiry is unfolding while Minnesota faces a major fraud investigation tied to alleged misuse of federal funds in child nutrition and social services programs. Reports have linked the alleged wrongdoing to parts of the state’s Somali-American community, including areas in and around Omar’s district. Some coverage has suggested potential losses as high as $9 billion, including schemes connected to the Feeding Our Future program.

No public evidence has linked Omar or Mynett directly to that fraud case. Still, Republicans have pointed to the timing and location as part of a wider argument about weak oversight in programs Omar has supported.

President Donald Trump also commented publicly, calling Omar “crooked” and tying the wealth jump to the broader Minnesota fraud headlines. Conservative commentators and online influencers have echoed calls for answers.

Omar’s background and earlier scrutiny

Omar, a progressive member of the group often called the “Squad,” has represented Minnesota’s 5th District since 2019. She came to the United States as a Somali-born refugee and later became a U.S. citizen.

She has faced earlier criticism over campaign spending tied to Mynett’s former consulting firm, E Street Group, which received millions during her 2020 re-election effort. Their relationship began during a period when both were married to other people, which also drew public attention and ethical questions.

Omar has repeatedly said she is not a millionaire, calling those claims “categorically false” and framing them as part of misinformation efforts. In prior statements, she pointed to her husband’s independent business activity as the source of any asset changes. Her office has not given a detailed response to the latest Oversight review, and allies have described the probe as partisan pressure on progressive lawmakers.

Mynett’s ventures, including Rose Lake Capital, are now getting more attention. Reports say the firm removed advisor biographies from its website as scrutiny increased, including profiles tied to former Obama administration figures.

Other past business issues have also resurfaced in coverage, including a winery investment that has been accused in lawsuits of financial mismanagement.

What happens next and why it matters

House Republicans say the investigation is about ethics and transparency, and they argue that Congress has to hold members to clear standards. Critics see it as a political move in a GOP-led House.

So far, there are no charges, and the work appears to be in early stages, centered on document reviews and possible subpoenas. Some reports say the FBI was briefed on related suspicions in a prior administration, but public details remain limited.

With the 2026 midterm cycle nearing, the story is likely to keep growing. It sits at the intersection of debates over government oversight, fraud in federal programs, and financial reporting by elected officials. Oversight Committee members, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), have said they plan to push for answers on both the wealth questions and any Minnesota fraud concerns.

Omar remains active in Congress and continues to focus on foreign policy, social justice, and constituent services in the Minneapolis-area district she represents.

Related News:

Daily Mail Questions Ilhan Omar’s Citizenship, Is She Really an American?

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Candace Owens Vindicated Over Erika Kira Ft. Huachuca Claim With New Evidence

Published

22 hours ago

January 20, 2026

VORNews

Candace Owens VINDICATED Over Ft. Huachuca

TUCSON, Arizona – Claims circulating online and on social media and talk on conservative podcasts are vindicating Candace Owens and are now pushing a growing claim that Erica Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the current CEO of Turning Point USA, has connections to Fort Huachuca in Arizona, a U.S. Army base known for its CIA intelligence training.

In many versions, the story claims she was at or near the base in the days just before Charlie Kirk’s assassination in September 2025. Some posts also repeat a label used online that calls Fort Huachuca a “CIA Training Camp.” Other threads add a side claim that her presence was tied to people connected to an unmade film project about defense and advanced technology.

Where the Allegations Came From

Much of the attention traces back to an exclusive interview on Candace Owens’ podcast in mid-December 2025. Owens interviewed a guest introduced as Mitch Snow, described as a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant and former combat medic. Snow said he had once pursued Special Forces training, but an injury ended that path.

Snow claimed he went to Fort Huachuca around September 8 to 9, 2025, because a long-standing gag order had expired and he wanted access to older personal records. He said he accidentally walked into a restricted area, was detained for hours, and then released.

In the interview, Snow said he noticed people he believed were linked to Turning Point USA. He claimed, with “95 to 99% certainty,” that he recognized Erica Kirk in the lobby of a hotel or nearby facility. He described her based on an older photo and said she wore her hair in a ponytail. Snow added that she was with a man he connected to the organization, possibly someone in security or a similar role.

He also claimed he saw Brian Harpole, described as Charlie Kirk’s head of security, leaving what looked like a high-level meeting. Owens and supporters later framed these sightings as happening the evening before, or the day before, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in Utah.

How Candace Owens Has Framed the Base

Candace Owens has described Fort Huachuca as more than a normal military post. She has pointed out that it hosts military intelligence courses, often shortened in military use to MIT (Military Intelligence Training). In her telling, that kind of setting can include programs where civilians might be trained and used as intelligence assets.

Across several discussions, Candace Owens has stressed a difference between standard bases and installations focused on intelligence work. She has suggested the base could support quiet meetings and activities tied to defense-related topics.

Online discussion has also tried to connect the Fort Huachuca story to a dropped film or media project. In those threads, people mention defense contractors, fears about technology weaknesses (like EMP threats or power grid security), and claims about psychological operations training.

Some of those talk points refer to older material, including unrelated footage where Erica appeared in a 2013 documentary clip alongside former intelligence figures. Still, no public proof has confirmed that Erica Kirk had a direct role in any film project tied to Fort Huachuca.

Much of what circulates comes from forum posts, X threads, and clipped podcast segments that build on each other.

The allegations have sparked loud arguments online. Supporters, including Candace Owens, say the eyewitness story should be taken seriously, especially with ongoing questions about timelines, alibis, and the larger set of events around Charlie Kirk’s death.

Owens has said she prefers verified facts over emotional reactions. She has also said she checked parts of Snow’s account before running the interview, mentioning metadata, receipts, and other review steps.

Candace Owens has addressed why she did not challenge Erica Kirk about Fort Huachuca during a private multi-hour meeting in late 2025, saying she was still checking details and planned to follow up later.

Pushback and Questions

Critics, including some conservatives and mainstream outlets, have pushed back hard. Much of the response has focused on Snow himself, not on independently confirming or disproving the travel and location claims he made.

Detractors have pointed to his personal history, his medical discharge, and the limits of a “95% sure” identification. Some reports have grouped his story with wider conspiracy narratives around the assassination, calling it unverified and sensational.

Other coverage has also noted that rumors about Erica Kirk have spread since Charlie Kirk’s death, including claims tied to unrelated scandals or made-up stories, often without evidence.

Erica Kirk has publicly responded to conspiracy claims in social media posts and interviews. She has rejected what she described as disrespect from figures like Candace Owens and has said her focus is on protecting her family and running Turning Point USA.

She has also shared details, including flight records for associates, to push back on certain timeline accusations.

As of early 2026, no official findings have confirmed the Fort Huachuca sightings or any link to a film project. The story remains a major flashpoint in online conservative debate, showing how a single eyewitness account can spread fast after a tragedy, especially in a tense political moment.

Related News:

Candace Owens Alleges FBI Was Involved in Kirk Assassination Coverup

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Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon Facing Charges Under Ku Klux Klan Act

Published

23 hours ago

January 20, 2026

VORNews

MINNESOTA – The latest dispute involving former CNN anchor Don Lemon and activists linked to Black Lives Matter (BLM) has sparked a loud national argument. On January 19, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), led by the Trump administration, said it plans to seek federal charges tied to Don Lemon and others involved in a disruptive protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Investigators are reviewing possible civil rights violations, including the Ku Klux Klan Act (the Enforcement Act of 1871) and, in some public commentary, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

The protest took place during a Sunday service at Cities Church. Reports say a pastor at the church has a role connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Demonstrators, including people tied to BLM Minnesota, walked into the sanctuary during worship.

They demanded answers over the death of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman killed by an immigration officer earlier in January. The group disrupted the service, confronted people in attendance, and called for ICE to be removed from the area.

Don Lemon, now working as an independent journalist, livestreamed the moment on social media. He entered the church with activists and recorded what was happening as it unfolded.

Don Lemon later said he was doing his job, adding that he knew the protest was planned and went there to cover it. Critics said his actions looked less like reporting and more like taking part. Some described the scene as frightening for churchgoers, including families and children who were present.

Videos shared by BLM Minnesota and Lemon show protesters shouting demands and accusing the church community of backing “white supremacist” policies because of the alleged ICE link. Some parishioners said they felt scared, and one called it a brazen insult to their place of worship.

DOJ Response and Claims Tied to the KKK Act

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon spoke publicly about the case and said the DOJ intends to bring charges. She pointed to Don Lemon’s presence and argued he looked involved in what she described as a “criminal conspiracy,” not protected press activity.

Dhillon referenced the Ku Klux Klan Act, passed in 1871 after the Civil War, to fight violence and intimidation by groups like the KKK. The law was meant to protect basic rights, including voting and worship.

The statute bars conspiracies that use threats, intimidation, or force to block people from exercising constitutional rights. Here, DOJ officials say the church disruption may have interfered with the free exercise of religion, which is protected under federal civil rights law.

Dhillon said interrupting worship and violating the sanctity of a house of worship could meet that standard.

Some people have also brought up the FACE Act, which is more often tied to access to reproductive health clinics. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison rejected that idea, saying it doesn’t fit this situation. The DOJ has put the spotlight on civil rights protections related to religious practice.

President Donald Trump boosted calls for accountability by reposting messages online that pushed for tough penalties. Some posts compared the situation to cases where pro-life activists faced severe consequences under related laws. Conservative commentators described the incident as an “attack on Christians,” while others noted the irony of using a law associated with fighting KKK intimidation.

What This Could Mean for Don Lemon

Don Lemon has rejected the accusations and said he was doing legitimate reporting tied to immigration enforcement. In interviews, he criticized the church’s reported ICE connections and called the DOJ review political.

BLM Minnesota and other activists have defended the protest as a necessary response to immigration-related harm. Still, the protest split public opinion. Some see it as protected speech, while others view it as crossing a clear line by interrupting worship inside a church.

The situation sits at the crossroads of activism, immigration enforcement, and religious freedom. Legal analysts say using the KKK Act for modern protest cases is unusual, though it has been used in civil rights matters before. If federal charges move forward, the outcome could shape how the government handles future disruptions at places of worship.

As the investigation continues, the case highlights sharp divides over race, immigration, and the limits of protest. Don Lemon, once a major cable news figure, now faces possible federal scrutiny that could change the next chapter of his career after CNN.