Republican U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna said, according to witness testimony and certain evidence, that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison were “knowingly complicit” in a massive fraud scheme, claiming they ignored red flags or shut down investigations, during an appearance on Fox Business on Thursday.
“It’s clear that both Tim Walz and AG Ellison were either knowingly complicit in fraud—I don’t think they’re the top dogs,” Luna said, describing the issue as the “tip of the iceberg” in widespread corruption.
Luna, who has made criminal referrals to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the two Democratic officials, cited witness testimony, evidence of ignored warnings, and an alleged recording of Ellison suggesting he would disregard Health and Human Services (HHS) recommendations with support from the Somali community.
The allegations center on the Feeding Our Future scandal, a federal child nutrition program fraud case that allegedly siphoned over $250 million in funds through Somali-American nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to ongoing investigations.
Luna emphasized that the DOJ had confirmed receipt of her referrals and expressed anticipation for potential criminal charges, stating the matter transcended partisanship. “This is corruption. I don’t care if this was just a Democrat. I don’t care if it was Republican. I would have the same response,” she said.
The claims drew sharp rebukes from Minnesota Democrats. Walz’s office denied any knowledge or complicity, calling the accusations politically motivated and pointing to state actions that supported federal probes into the fraud. Ellison similarly rejected the allegations, stating his office had cooperated with investigations and prosecuted related cases.
The Trump administration announced a new White House task force on Thursday to target benefit fraud nationwide, with a focus on schemes like the one in Minnesota, amid Republican calls for accountability.
Federal prosecutors have already charged dozens in connection with the Feeding Our Future case since 2022, recovering millions in assets, but no charges have been filed against Walz or Ellison.
Luna’s comments come amid heightened political tensions over immigration and fraud in Minnesota, where federal operations have intensified under the Trump administration.
The DOJ did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the status of Luna’s referrals.
