East Africa

The Star Tribune has published a lengthy investigation examining how Gov. Tim Walz's administration responded to fraud across Minnesota's human services programs, centered on the Feeding Our Future scandal, the largest COVID-related fraud case in the country. The report, based on newly public records and interviews, describes missed warnings and a delayed reckoning within the administration, though critics note it downplays the role of the Somali community's political ties and largely omits Walz's past public statements blaming a Ramsey County judge for blocking efforts to halt fraudulent payments.

Court records show Judge John Guthmann never ordered the Minnesota Department of Education to resume payments to Feeding Our Future; the department did so voluntarily after determining the nonprofit had resolved "serious deficiencies." That false narrative was nonetheless repeated by officials, including Walz, for years. Federal raids on Feeding Our Future sites began in January 2022, leading to indictments and convictions. Walz's office declined interview requests and did not respond to written questions for the Star Tribune's report.