Minnesota GOP Candidate Vows to Root Out Fraud, Says Responsibility ‘Falls Squarely’ on Tim Walz

As federal prosecutors continue investigating what has been called the largest COVID-19 relief fraud scheme in U.S. history, 🏞️Minnesota House Speaker 🏛️Lisa Demuth says the $1 billion scandal is just the “tip of the iceberg.”

According to Fox News, Demuth, a Republican candidate vying to unseat Gov. 👤Tim Walz, told the outlet that the governor bears “full responsibility” for the fraud uncovered so far. 

“This falls squarely on his shoulders. He’s the governor of the state and needs to take full responsibility,” she said.

The controversy centers on Feeding Our Future, a 🏞️Minnesota nonprofit accused of diverting federal funds meant for child-nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least 78 defendants have been charged in the scheme, which federal prosecutors estimate siphoned roughly $300 million in taxpayer dollars.

“There has been that lack of accountability and lack of oversight that’s been needed,” Demuth said. “The governor has chosen the commissioners, put them into place, and there needed to be an accountability where he or his office were overseeing the work done by the commissioners in every agency.”