A prominent police union leader in Minnesota has indicated that recent high-profile shootings have shifted attention away from significant fraud issues linked to social services in the state. Mark Ross, president of the St. Paul Police Federation, stated that Democrats are benefiting from this distraction, which has put discussions about immigration enforcement and fraud on the “backburner.” His comments were made in an interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have garnered national attention, causing the focus on alleged fraud within Minnesota’s social services to wane. Ross noted that a video released by independent journalist Nick Shirley in December 2023, which suggested fraudulent activities at Somali daycare centers, had initially prompted a vigorous federal investigation. “I thought we were making great momentum in terms of finally investigating and prosecuting these things,” Ross remarked.
Ross further expressed his frustration over the perceived negligence of state officials regarding fraud. He asserted, “It’s really disturbing to think about how [the fraud] went unchecked for so long.” He accused the state governor and his administration of ignoring the issue, stating, “Essentially, what’s been happening is this governor and his commissioners have just turned a blind eye to all of it.” He emphasized the substantial financial implications, calling it “a lot of money.”
The investigation into social services fraud gained traction following the Trump administration’s directive to scrutinize potential fraud in Minnesota. Ross previously suggested that if local officials had permitted greater cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the tragic incidents involving Good and Pretti might have been avoided.
Federal officials, including Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, have confirmed ongoing investigations into a “massive underground fraud network” in Minneapolis. During a recent appearance on Fox News, Blanche stated that there has been significant federal engagement, with prosecutors deployed from various U.S. Attorney’s offices across the country. “We’re making progress every day,” he asserted.
In December 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it had charged 98 individuals, 85 of whom are of Somali descent, in connection with fraud schemes that exploited federal child nutrition program funds. Among these schemes, the “Feeding Our Future” operation alone siphoned off an estimated $250 million in federal funds, according to DOJ reports.
In response to rising concerns about immigration enforcement, Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz called for the withdrawal of federal agents from the state. He argued that operations like “Operation Metro Surge” utilized fraud as a pretext to advance aggressive immigration policies. A recent lawsuit filed by state officials against the Trump administration highlighted these concerns, although a judge recently declined to remove federal law enforcement from the area.
While some reports suggest that fraud investigations are slowing due to heightened immigration enforcement, others indicate significant challenges within the state’s prosecutorial ranks. For example, an assistant U.S. attorney requested an extension in one fraud case, citing “changes in office staffing.” This development follows the resignation of several prosecutors, including Joseph Thompson, who was known for his focus on fraud cases. Governor Walz described Thompson’s departure as a “huge loss for our state.”
Controversy surrounding the handling of these investigations has continued, with Pam Bondi, a former attorney general, claiming that the resigning prosecutors were not supportive of law enforcement efforts. She asserted that they sought to use taxpayer-funded leave while withdrawing from their roles.
In a broader context, former President Donald Trump claimed via social media that the fraud in Minnesota is “far greater than the 19 billion dollars originally projected.” He accused the Biden administration of negligence regarding these fraud cases, pointing fingers at specific individuals within Minnesota’s political landscape.
The current investigations involve multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security. Kyle Burton, Sheriff of Mille Lacs County, emphasized the need for federal resources to address both immigration and fraud effectively, stating that the state’s penalties for fraud crimes are insufficient.
As the investigations continue, Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison announced charges against a Medicaid provider for $3 million in fraud, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat these issues. “Since I first took office, my team and I have prosecuted over 300 cases of Medicaid fraud and won over $80 million in restitution and recoveries,” Ellison stated.
With mounting scrutiny on both immigration enforcement and social services fraud, Minnesota remains at a complex intersection of law enforcement and political maneuvering. The outcomes of these investigations are likely to have lasting implications for the state’s governance and public trust.
