Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee, has been subpoenaed by a U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating a massive fraud scheme involving COVID-19 relief funds — a significant development that could impact the 2024 presidential race.
The House Education and the Workforce Committee, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., issued subpoenas to Walz and several other high-ranking officials, seeking documents related to the Minnesota Department of Education’s mismanagement of millions from federal child nutrition programs.
The subpoenas come in the wake of what the Department of Justice has described as the “largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the nation,” involving the Minnesota-based nonprofit Feeding Our Future (FOF).
Investigators say that a staggering $250 million fraud scheme exploited programs intended to feed children in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. House committee wants to know what Walz and others new about the program… and how it was allowed to happen.
The scandal has already led to charges against 70 individuals, with five defendants convicted by a federal jury earlier this year. Tthe trial was marred by an attempt to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash left at their home, illustrating just how huge the case’s stakes are — and its far-reaching implications.
“As the chief executive and the highest ranking official in the state of Minnesota, you are responsible for the MDE and its administration of FCNPs,” Foxx wrote to Walz.
The committee’s investigation into Walz stems from statements made by the governor and his representatives, indicating their involvement or knowledge of the Minnesota Department of Education’s administration of the federal funds.
While the subpoena does not require Walz to appear in person before the committee, it sets a September 18 deadline for turning over all requested documents. Similar subpoenas were issued to Education Department Commissioner Willie Jett, Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, and Agriculture Department Inspector General Phyllis Fong.
Walz’s office has responded to the allegations, with a spokesperson describing the Feeding Our Future case as “an appalling abuse of a federal Covid-era program” and emphasizing that the Minnesota Department of Education cooperated with the FBI to bring those involved to justice.
However, a report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor in Minnesota found the Minnesota Department of Education’s oversight of FOF to be “inadequate” and that mismanagement “created opportunities for fraud.”
“There’s not a single state employee that was implicated in doing anything that was illegal. They simply didn’t do as much due diligence as they should’ve,” Walz has previously claimed.
The timing of this investigation is particularly significant given Walz’s recent selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate for the 2024 presidential election.
Foxx claims that the committee had previously made voluntary requests to Minnesota’s education department for documents but “has been unable to obtain substantive responsive materials,” which forced the subpoenas.
As the September 18 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Governor Walz and his response to the subpoena.