Friday, September 06, 2024

A Hatchet Job.

Did you read about the Republicans in the House subpoena Governor Walz… Now tell me this wasn’t politically motivated!
Republican House panel subpoenas Gov. Walz in investigation of Minnesota nonprofit that ran a Covid aid scheme
The group Feeding Our Future faces federal criminal charges that it created fake children's names to seek reimbursements for meals that were never served.
NBC News
By Kyle Stewart
September 4, 2024


The House Education and Workforce Committee issued subpoenas Wednesday to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for how they responded to what federal prosecutors have called the largest pandemic fraud schemes in the country.

The subpoenas, obtained first by NBC News, demand that Walz, Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong turn over documents concerning oversight of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which is alleged to have misused millions of dollars intended to feed children during the pandemic.

Walz's record has faced new scrutiny since Vice President Kamala Harris tapped him as her running mate last month, though this new request by the Republican-led committee is part of an investigative effort that goes back to 2022.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the committee chair, wrote in a letter to Walz that the committee is requesting this information to show "the extent of your responsibilities and actions addressing the massive fraud that resulted in the abuse of taxpayer dollars intended for hungry children."
Okay a little background, this investigation started a number of years ago, there have been convictions in the case. Ever since 2020 the state of Minnesota has been investigating this case and has convictions!

The Minnesota AG office released this two years ago,
For two years, Attorney General Ellison’s office has held Feeding Our Future accountable

Federal investigation and indictments would not have happened without Attorney General’s involvement

AG’s Office plays three roles in holding Feeding Our Future accountable: 1) representing MDE in court and with FBI, 2) conducting civil charities investigation, 3) overseeing FOF’s dissolution in court

September 26, 2022 (SAINT PAUL) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and his office have been deeply involved for two years in holding Feeding Our Future accountable. The Attorney General’s Office worked closely with the Minnesota Department of Education as they provided suspicions of fraud and other evidence and information to the FBI, which directly led to the federal investigation and indictments of Feeding Our Future and its founder Aimee Bock. Without the Attorney General’s involvement alongside MDE in flagging that fraud and turning it over to the criminal investigative power of the federal government, there would likely have been no federal investigation or indictments. The FBI has praised this cooperation.

“For two solid years, Attorney General Ellison’s office has been holding Feeding Our Future accountable,” said John Stiles, deputy chief of staff and spokesperson for Attorney General Ellison’s office. “Early on, the Attorney General’s Office worked side by side with MDE to flag evidence of fraud, demand correction from Feeding Our Future, defend MDE from Feeding Our Future’s scurrilous lawsuit — and most importantly, bring evidence of criminal fraud to the FBI, which led directly to the federal criminal investigation and criminal indictments of Feeding Our Future for fraud. Attorney General Ellison’s office has also used its civil charities-enforcement authority to investigate for violating state charities law and make sure a court is supervising its dissolution so it can’t misuse any of its remaining assets.

“A long, complex criminal investigation such as this involves many law-enforcement partners and different levels of jurisdiction. MDE and Attorney General Ellison’s office brought their suspicions of fraud to the FBI and fully cooperated with the investigation that they jump-started because the federal government has criminal jurisdiction over fraud involving federal programs, which neither MDE nor the Attorney General’s office have, and because the penalties for this kind of fraud in federal law are hefty. In addition to having criminal jurisdiction, the federal government also has massive investigative power and resources that dwarf those of State government: indeed, four federal law-enforcement agencies have said that hundreds of agents were involved for many months in collecting evidence of fraud across multiple continents, and that their work is not yet done. The 48 indictments that the U.S. Attorney announced last week are a direct result of the choice the Attorney General’s office and MDE made chose to turn their concerns over to the federal government and to cooperate fully with them. The FBI praised this cooperation in the press conference where the Department of Justice announced these indictments.

Stop right there! “48 indictments” way is the House investigate this now?

U.S. Department of Justice…
Nonprofit Feeding Our Future and 200+ Meal Sites in Minnesota Perpetrated the Largest COVID-19 Fraud Scheme in the Nation

The Department of Justice announced today federal criminal charges against 47 defendants for their alleged roles in a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally-funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These indictments, alleging the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme charged to date, underscore the Department of Justice’s sustained commitment to combating pandemic fraud and holding accountable those who perpetrate it,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In partnership with agencies across government, the Justice Department will continue to bring to justice those who have exploited the pandemic for personal gain and stolen from American taxpayers.”

“Today’s indictments describe an egregious plot to steal public funds meant to care for children in need in what amounts to the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme yet,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendants went to great lengths to exploit a program designed to feed underserved children in Minnesota amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudulently diverting millions of dollars designated for the program for their own personal gain. These charges send the message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain vigilant and will vigorously pursue those who attempt to enrich themselves through fraudulent means.”
So tell me again why they investigating this… it couldn’t possibly be for political reasons? Naw, the Republicans would never do that.
About half the people indicted in Feeding Our Future fraud had other state contracts
Defense attorney says federal prosecutors are also investigating ‘adult daycare issues’  
Minnesota Reformer
By: Deena Winter
August 3, 2023


About half of the people charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with stealing hundreds of millions from a federal program to feed children during the pandemic have been paid tens of millions more in state money for services such as providing child care and assisting seniors and people with disabilities.

In the past dozen years, state agencies — largely the state Department of Human Services — have had contracts with about 30 businesses connected to 26 people charged in the Feeding Our Future scandal, according to a Reformer review of state records and corporate filings. Three have pleaded guilty in the federal case.

The federal investigation became public in January 2022, when the FBI raided homes and seized property to try to stop the hemorrhaging of federal money.

So far, 60 people have been charged with stealing more than $250 million in a scheme that prosecutors say was orchestrated by a Minnesota nonprofit called Feeding Our Future — the largest pandemic-related fraud case prosecutors have brought to date.

The Reformer’s findings raise questions about whether the fraud is more widespread than previously known — and potentially includes programs beyond just the pandemic-era food relief.

Thomas Brever, an attorney for one of the Feeding Our Future defendants, said federal officials have expanded their investigation into other areas.

“I know they’re looking at adult daycare issues,” he said.
You know it sounds like the Fed have a good handle on this!
Audit: ‘Inadequate oversight’ created opportunity for $250 million federal meal program fraud
A report released Thursday from the Office of the Legislative Auditor found the education department failed to act on warning signs of fraud
Twin Cities Pioneer Press
By Alex Derosie
June 14, 2024

“Inadequate oversight” by the Minnesota Department of Education created an opportunity for a massive fraud scheme involving Feeding Our Future that federal authorities say diverted more than $250 million federal dollars meant for pandemic children’s meal programs, according to a state audit report published Thursday.

The report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor found the education department failed to act on warning signs of fraud at the nonprofit and didn’t exercise its authority to hold it accountable. The auditor’s office said it found numerous instances when MDE failed to properly monitor federal dollars, “especially given information it either had in its possession or should have obtained but did not.”

“MDE’s responsibilities under federal law ranged from providing guidance and training to Feeding Our Future staff, to terminating the organization’s participation in the programs if warranted,” said Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Special Reviews Director Katherine Theisen in a letter attached to the report. “We believe MDE’s actions and inactions created opportunities for fraud.”

[…]

Seventy people have been indicted so far in connection with the stolen federal dollars meant to help feed needy Minnesota children. Federal authorities say much of the fraud centered around the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which received federal dollars via the state education department. Those responsible for the fraud spent the money on homes, trips, jewelry and luxury cars, according to prosecutors.
70 people indicted! This has definitely not been swept under the rug.
The Legislative Auditor’s office and state education leaders briefed lawmakers on the report at an audit commission meeting Thursday.

Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, asked Jett if anyone responsible for disbursing money to Feeding Our Future had been disciplined.
So there were public hearings held on this. Sure seems like the investigators are doing a good job on this.
A jury convicted five Minnesota residents and acquitted two others on Friday for their roles in a scheme to steal more than $40 million from a program that was supposed to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic. The case received widespread attention after someone tried to bribe a juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash.

That juror was dismissed before deliberations began, and a second juror who was told about it also was dismissed. An FBI investigation of the attempted bribe continues, with no arrests announced.

After the verdicts were read, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson called the attempted bribe “an attack on our criminal justice system” and told reporters that authorities would investigate with all of their resources. He made no other comment on that issue, and expressed satisfaction at the convictions in the fraud case.
Alright, I can understand why the House wants to hear about this case, it is a big case but what I don’t understand is why they subpoenaed the governor. It sound like a very thorough investigation and I wonder why they didn’t want to hear the investigators. It still seems like a political stunt requiring the governor to testify, especially now before the elections.
 
The Hill writes that,
It is not the first time House Republicans have opened investigations into Walz or Vice President Harris since their run for the presidency began.  

Republicans are also looking into Walz’s ties to China and Harris’s duties at the border and on migration policy.  

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) promptly accused the Education Committee of abusing its power for political purposes.
 
 “Blatant use of official resources for a campaign. Pretty disgusting!” he said on the social platform X in reaction to the subpoena.
Vote for the party with integrity, vote Blue.


Speaking of racism in Trump's campaign...
AP News
By  MATTHEW BROWN
September 4, 2024


 Tribal leaders in Montana urged Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy to apologize over remarks he made to supporters about Native Americans being “drunk at 8 a.m.” and throwing beer cans at him on the Crow Reservation

Audio recordings of Sheehy’s derogatory comments were obtained and published by Char-Koosta News, the official publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Sheehy is backed by former President Donald Trump as he challenges three-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in one of the most closely-watched congressional races in the nation.

A Republican victory could help swing control of the closely divided Senate.

Sheehy is heard commenting in one of the recordings that his ranching partner is a member of the Crow Tribe with whom Sheehy ropes and brands cattle on the tribe’s southeastern Montana reservation.

“Great way to bond with all the Indians, to be out there while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.,” Sheehy says.

[...]

The Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, which represents 11 tribes and First Nations in the western U.S. and Canada, said Sheehy’s comments perpetuated stereotypes about Native Americans.

Council Chairman Bryce Kirk asked Sheehy to apologize in a Tuesday letter to the campaign obtained by The Associated Press.
But then again, what do you expect from Trump's party.
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