Tim Walz Subpoenaed Over $250M COVID Fraud Investigation

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, now the Democratic Party's vice-presidential nominee, has been subpoenaed by the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee in connection with a $250 million fraud case involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.

The GOP-led committee, chaired by Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, is investigating the misappropriation of federal COVID-19 relief funds intended to feed low-income children in Walz's state during the pandemic, as CBS News reports.

The subpoena, issued Wednesday, requests documents and information from Walz by Sept. 18, as the committee seeks to determine whether the governor’s administration was involved in the mishandling of funds.

The Feeding Our Future scandal has been a significant political issue in Minnesota since it first surfaced in early 2022. The nonprofit, founded in 2017 by Aimee Bock, is accused of fraudulently claiming to feed more than 30,000 children in BIPOC communities, while allegedly diverting millions of dollars for personal use. By the time it dissolved in February 2022, Feeding Our Future had received nearly $200 million in federal funds.

Republicans Press Walz for Accountability

Walz has consistently denied claims of negligence, stating that his administration acted swiftly to stop the fraud. In a September 2022 statement, Walz said, "We caught this fraud very early. We alerted the right people. We were taken to court, sued, and threatened with jail time for our efforts to stop it." Walz blames a county judge for ordering the Minnesota Department of Education to resume payments to Feeding Our Future after his administration had cut off funding. The judge, however, disputes this, asserting that the department resumed payments voluntarily.

A report by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor, released in June 2024, criticized the Minnesota Department of Education for "inadequate" oversight that allowed the fraud to occur. Following the report, Minnesota Republicans intensified their criticism of Walz, accusing him of failing to hold his administration accountable for the misuse of federal relief funds.

Subpoenas Aim to Uncover Further Information

The committee, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx, is not only focusing on Walz but has also subpoenaed officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of Inspector General.

In a cover letter attached to the subpoena, Foxx stated, "Statements in the press by you and your representatives indicate that you and other executive officers were involved, or had knowledge of, the Minnesota Department of Education's administration of the nonprofit and responsibilities and actions regarding the massive fraud."

Political Implications for Walz

The Feeding Our Future scandal has already had political ramifications for Walz, especially as he campaigns alongside Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party vice-presidential nominee. Although he has defended his administration’s actions in addressing the fraud, his opponents have used the case to question his leadership and oversight abilities.

GOP Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson expressed his concerns about ongoing issues with fraud in state-run programs, stating, "Either Gov. Walz holds his appointed commissioners and other staff accountable and we stop the waste and fraud, or this is going to continue." This criticism reflects broader Republican frustration with the governor’s handling of the Feeding Our Future case and his administration’s response to the initial warning signs.

Federal Charges Against Feeding Our Future Leaders

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding Our Future, along with over 70 other individuals, for their roles in the fraud. Federal prosecutors have labeled it "the largest pandemic fraud in the United States," with the accused allegedly pocketing millions of dollars meant for feeding children in need.

In a separate trial in June 2024, a Minnesota man pleaded guilty to bribery, after it was discovered that $120,000 in cash had been left at the home of a juror. Five out of seven defendants in the trial were found guilty, further cementing the legal consequences stemming from the fraudulent scheme.

Walz Defends His Administration’s Actions

Despite these legal developments and ongoing investigations, Walz continues to emphasize that his administration acted in good faith to address the fraud. A spokesperson for Walz told CBS News Minnesota, "This was an appalling abuse of a federal COVID-era program. The state department of education worked diligently to stop the fraud, and we're grateful to the FBI for working with the department of education to arrest and charge the individuals involved."

However, the June 2024 report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor has fueled Republican efforts to hold Walz accountable for the lack of oversight that allowed the fraud to go undetected for an extended period.