The House Education and Workforce Committee issued subpoenas to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and several members of his administration on Wednesday over a fraud case.
According to NBC, the subpoenas demand that Governor Walz, who is now the Democratic vice presidential nominee, along with the Minnesota Education Department, provide all documents detailing their oversight of Feeding Our Future. This nonprofit organization is alleged to have orchestrated a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice filed charges against 70 individuals connected to the scheme. The defendants were accused of obtaining, misappropriating, and laundering millions of dollars intended as reimbursements for the cost of providing meals to children. In June, five of the defendants were found guilty.
“These indictments, alleging the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme charged to date, underscore the Department of Justice’s sustained commitment to combating pandemic fraud and holding accountable those who perpetrate it,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.
A subsequent audit revealed that the Minnesota Education Department, which is tasked with overseeing federal programs that reimburse organizations like Feeding Our Future, failed to provide adequate supervision of the nonprofit.
The committee also subpoenaed Education Commissioner Willie Jett, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong. Along with Walz, they have been given until September 18 to furnish the requested documents.
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