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Governor Faces Criticism for Deflecting After $250M Minnesota Fraud Investigation

An editorial criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for appearing to deflect responsibility after a large COVID-era fraud scheme allegedly stole more than $250 million from a federally funded child nutrition program. The Justice Department has charged a 78th defendant and secured over 50 convictions. Critics pointed to a 700% rise in autism providers and a nearly 3,000% increase in related funding from 2018–2023 as red flags. Walz says he accepts responsibility for prosecutions but warned against demonizing an entire community; the editorial called that response "lazy."

01:55 AM, 12/04/2025Politics
Governor Faces Criticism for Deflecting After $250M Minnesota Fraud Investigation

Officials and Editorials Say Governor Should Take Greater Responsibility

An editorial board this week criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for what it described as a failure to accept responsibility for a large-scale fraud scheme that unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal prosecutors have charged the 78th defendant in the investigation, which alleges more than $250 million was stolen from a federally funded child nutrition program and has already produced more than 50 convictions.

Many defendants in the probe come from Minnesota’s Somali community, and public data cited by the editorial board highlighted troubling patterns that, it said, should have prompted earlier action. Among the figures flagged: the number of autism-related providers in Minnesota increased by roughly 700% between 2018 and 2023, while related funding rose from about $6 million to nearly $192 million.

Critics argued those dramatic increases were inconsistent with any plausible clinical trend and suggested they reflected exploitation of program rules rather than a genuine surge in services. The editorial said attempts to flag unusual trends were not adequately addressed by state authorities.

Governor's Response

"Well, certainly I take responsibility for putting people in jail. Governors don’t get to just talk theoretically. We have to solve problems," Gov. Walz said during a television interview. He added that Minnesota's prosperity and reputation attract criminals and warned against demonizing an entire community for the actions of a few.

The editorial rejected that framing, calling the response "lazy," and argued the state’s expanding welfare programs lacked sufficient safeguards. It noted that the governor signed anti-fraud legislation earlier this year but said those measures came after years of rapid program growth and without robust, preventative checks to ensure funds were distributed appropriately.

The debate has also drawn sharp reactions from national political figures. Critics condemned a social media post by the president that used a derogatory slur about the governor and criticized a policy move to end certain deportation protections for some Somali immigrants as morally problematic.

Columnists have weighed in as well: one commentator suggested the controversy was damaging the governor’s political standing going forward.

Federal authorities continue to pursue the investigation and prosecutions. Gov. Walz’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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