Liz Peek EXPOSES Minnesota’s MASSIVE Welfare Heist — And Why Democrats Are Scrambling

A sprawling welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota has erupted into the national spotlight, revealing systemic failures in oversight and accountability under Democrat leadership. The scandal, which has cost taxpayers more than $1 billion, centers on multiple schemes orchestrated largely by Somali refugees, and has left state officials scrambling to answer for years of unchecked abuse.

The Unraveling of a Mammoth Fraud

Federal prosecutors have spent years investigating what The New York Times called “staggering in its scale and brazenness.” The most notorious plot involved the non-profit “Feeding Our Future,” which, in partnership with Somali-owned businesses, claimed to feed tens of thousands of children. In reality, the group submitted fake reimbursement claims, siphoning off nearly $200 million in state funds in 2021 alone.

But the fraud didn’t stop there. Another scam targeted the state’s Housing Stability Services Program, designed to help seniors and those struggling with mental health or addiction. Instead, fraudsters submitted bogus claims for supposed beneficiaries, with costs ballooning from a predicted $2.6 million per year to $104 million in 2023.

Perhaps most cruel was a scheme exploiting Minnesota’s Health Care Program for autistic children. Led by Asha Farhan Hassan, perpetrators recruited Somali families, paid them kickbacks, and falsified diagnoses to rake in $14 million—some of which was used to buy property in Kenya.

Political Fallout: Leadership Under Fire

The scandal has proved deeply embarrassing for Governor Tim Walz, who served as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in 2024. Hundreds of Minnesota Department of Human Services employees anonymously blamed Walz on social media, declaring, “Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota.”

Critics say the state’s reluctance to crack down sooner stemmed from fears of alienating the Somali community, a key voting bloc in Minneapolis and the state at large. When officials raised concerns about Feeding Our Future’s rapid expansion in 2020, the organization responded with a lawsuit accusing them of racial discrimination.

National Attention and Immigration Debate

The scandal has fueled a broader debate about immigration policy and assimilation. Some commentators, including writers at the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal, claimed stolen welfare funds were funneled to al-Shabab, a Somali terrorist group. While The New York Times found no solid evidence of terrorist links in federal cases, the rumors have persisted, stoked by former President Trump’s denunciations and calls to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis in Minnesota.

Accountability and Reform: Will Anything Change?

So far, 86 people have been charged with felonies and 59 convicted—most of them Somali immigrants. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson described the situation as “schemes stacked upon schemes, draining resources meant for those in need.”

The scandal has prompted calls for more transparency and tougher oversight. Critics argue that Minnesota’s experience is not unique, pointing to other blue states that have resisted federal investigations into welfare fraud. The hope is that this case will galvanize taxpayers and policymakers to demand meaningful reform.

Conclusion

The Minnesota welfare fraud scandal is a sobering indictment of what can happen when government oversight fails, political interests override accountability, and well-intentioned programs are left vulnerable to abuse. As the state grapples with the fallout, the question remains: Will this be the wake-up call that finally forces change and restores trust in public institutions?