ST. PAUL — Rep. Eric Lucero, R-Saint Michael, and House Republicans continue calling for answers from the Gov. Tim Walz administration and for Minnesota House Democrats to conduct hearings in response to the Feeding our Future fraud scandal, described as the largest pandemic fraud case in the United States — and likely the largest fraud case in Minnesota history.
House Republicans sent a letter last week calling on the chairs of the House Education Committees to hold hearings and investigate the Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) involvement in the fraud case. While MDE has tried to deflect blame to the courts, there was no court ruling reinstating the flow of taxpayer dollars to fraudulent organizations according to a bombshell statement from Ramsey County District Court Judge John Guthmann recently released.
Specifically, Lucero and House Republicans want answers on why MDE voluntarily restarted payments to the Feeding our Future fraudsters, why MDE and the Walz administration misled the public with claims of a nonexistent court ruling, and why the DFL has yet to hold a single hearing on the largest fraud case in state history.
“The Feeding Our Future fraud is a continuation of the rampant fraud uncovered in government programs, including fraud in the child care assistance program (CCAP), fraud in COVID relief programs, and many more. Hundreds of millions to billions of taxpayer dollars continue to be swindled by criminals during Gov. Walz’s and former Gov. Dayton’s watch. Hardworking taxpayers are angry and demand accountability,” Lucero said. “Minnesotans are already being crushed by skyrocketing prices in the Walz/Biden economy and this windfall by criminals due to lack of accountability is like salt in the wound. I’m among the Republicans who are fighting to punish criminals and eliminate wasteful government programs.”
While in interim before the beginning of the 93rd Legislative Session this coming January, House committee chairs are still free to call hearings with their members and prepare for the next session.
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