The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced federal criminal charges against the director of the Minnesota nonprofit ‘Feeding Our Future’ and 48 other people. This is the nation’s largest case of COVID fraud aid and at least $250 million taxpayer dollars designated to provide nutritious meals children were fraudulently used to buy luxury goods. 

Following the federal prosecutors’ announcement, Governor Walz called for an investigation into why Judge Guthmann ordered the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to continue payments to Feeding Our Future, despite suspected fraud. In an unprecedent statement to correct media reports and Walz’s statements, Guthmann made it evident that he never ordered for the payments to be made and MDE “voluntarily resumed making payments.”

State Senator Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo) released the following statement:

“It’s appalling that a massive fraud scheme like Feeding Our Future occurred in our state, and it’s even more alarming that this fraud prospered under the watch of the Minnesota Department of Education. Our state officials and agencies are entrusted with safeguarding taxpayer dollars. However, Judge Guthmann’s statement clearly indicates that MDE chose to continue Feeding Our Future payments – a decision that ultimately led to the nation’s largest case of pandemic aid fraud. 

“This vast abuse of taxpayer dollars is inexcusable, and if it is proven that MDE was not required to resume payments, the only course of action I see is for Commissioner Mueller to resign. State government must remain accountable to the public, and the Commissioner’s dishonesty betrays Minnesotans’ trust.”