Vance Refers Walz, Ellison to DOJ Over Fraud Report
Vice President JD Vance referred Minnesota officials including Governor Tim Walz to the Justice Department over allegations they ignored widespread benefit fraud totaling billions of dollars.
The referral targets senior state figures including Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, following the release of a damning House Oversight Committee report that examined rampant fraud in federally funded social services programs across the state.
The House Oversight panel sent correspondence to Vance on Sunday urging him to launch a comprehensive probe into Minnesota’s handling of the fraud crisis. Vance, who leads the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, responded swiftly.
I’ve referred these allegations to DOJ’s new Fraud Division for criminal investigation, Vance wrote on X Monday evening. He made clear that state officials who facilitated fraud, committed perjury, or intimidated whistleblowers would be held accountable regardless of their position.
Investigation Triggered by Viral Exposé
The Oversight Committee launched its investigation after YouTuber Nick Shirley posted a viral video in December exposing how fraudulent child care facilities were obtaining federal money through bogus operations.
Minnesota’s fraud problems extend well beyond a single program. The state lost at minimum $300 million in the separate Feeding Our Future scandal, which resulted in dozens of criminal charges.
Even more staggering, a former federal prosecutor estimated last year that approximately $9 billion channeled through Minnesota’s 14 Medicaid programs may have vanished to fraud since 2018. Walz and other state officials have disputed that figure.
Committee Finds Years of Inaction
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, Republican from Kentucky, wrote that the investigation revealed senior Minnesota government officials knew about widespread fraud for years. Despite possessing the authority to halt payments and exclude fraudulent providers, they repeatedly declined to intervene.
Vance emphasized Monday that he is not making premature judgments about criminal liability. Speaking to Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime, he explained that the administration would not mirror Biden-era practices of reaching conclusions before investigations conclude.
The vice president acknowledged that Minnesota officials clearly were not treating fraud with appropriate seriousness, though whether their conduct constitutes criminal violations remains to be determined through investigation.
Walz Claims Political Persecution
Walz has previously accused the Trump administration of weaponizing federal power to target blue states like Minnesota.
This is not the first federal investigation facing Walz. Earlier this year, the DOJ opened a probe into both the governor and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey over allegations they obstructed immigration enforcement. That investigation continues.
The Trump administration has also suspended roughly $260 million in federal Medicaid funding for Minnesota in response to the unfolding fraud scandal.
Broader Accountability Push
In his criminal referral to the DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, Vance stated that the Fraud Task Force has uncovered billions in taxpayer losses since President Trump announced its creation.
He made clear that any state officials nationwide who facilitated fraud, ignored theft, prevented enforcement, or harassed whistleblowers would face consequences.
Offices for both Walz and Ellison were contacted for comment but had not responded at publication time.
With information from New York Post
