The Department of Justice has secured more than 60 convictions linked to child care scams and other abuses.
WASHINGTON—Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, announced on Dec. 31 that the panel will hold hearings focused on fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs.
The committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Jan. 7 titled “Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part I.” The witnesses are Minnesota state Reps. Kristin Robbins, Walter Hudson, and Marion Rarick. More witnesses could appear.
“American taxpayers demand and deserve accountability for the theft of their hard-earned money,” Comer said.
The Department of Justice has been investigating and prosecuting fraud in Minnesota. The department said it has charged 98 individuals, and more than 60 have pleaded guilty or been convicted.
“Congress has a duty to conduct rigorous oversight of this heist and enact stronger safeguards to prevent fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, as well as strong sanctions to hold offenders accountable,” Comer said.
The committee also announced a hearing on Feb. 10 with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. It is unclear whether they will appear. The Epoch Times has reached out to Walz’s and Ellison’s offices to inquire whether they plan to attend.
Walz has issued several statements asserting that his administration has been fighting fraud.
“Over the last three years we have made systematic changes to state government,” he wrote in a Star-Tribune column reprinted in a Dec. 15 news release.
“Detecting fraud is resource intensive and time consuming—especially when it comes to the federal Medicaid programs that have a complex interplay between private insurance companies and federal, state and county governments. Is it impossible? No. We have made significant progress. We have much more to do.”
Likewise, Ellison said his department has been working alongside federal officials to root out Medicaid fraud.
“Minnesotans are a generous people, and we believe in supporting folks who need a helping hand,” he said in a news release. “It boils my blood that fraudsters are taking advantage of that generosity, and my office and I will gladly partner with all those who are also committed to holding fraudsters accountable.”
The House committee will conduct transcribed interviews with Minnesota state officials and hold hearings on fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs.
“This misconduct cannot be swept aside, and Congress will not stop until taxpayers get the answers and accountability they deserve,” Comer said.
