The Committee on Oversight of the U.S. House of Representatives announced on Monday,
Comer Expands Investigation Into Widespread Fraud Uncovered in Minnesota Government Programs.
Comer being the committee chairman, James Comer (R-KY). In expanding the investigation into Minnesota frauds, the Committee sent out a series of letters seeking to interview witnesses to the scandal(s). Among those receiving letters were the following,
Dept. of Education (for Feeding Our Future):
Daron Korte, Assistant Commissioner
Emily Honer, Director of Nutrition Program Services
Mary Cathryn Ricker, former Commissioner
Dept. of Human Services (Medicaid frauds):
Tony Lourey, former Commissioner and former state senator
Jodi Harpstead, former Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
Eric Grumdahl, former Assistant Commissioner for Homelessness and Housing Supports
Dave Greeman, former Chief Financial Officer
The Committee is seeking to do in-person interviews of the seven above above in late January and early February.
The Minnesota Star Tribune quotes a spokesperson for Governor Tim Walz on the expanded investigation,
This is clearly a coordinated political attack to try to silence one of the President’s most effective critics. The Governor takes fraud seriously and wishes they would too.
Most of the billions of dollars stolen from taxpayers by Minnesota fraudsters were stolen from federal programs and money appropriated by the U.S. Congress. But any investigation into the stolen billions has to be a “coordinated political attack,” according to Walz. For the record, Walz does not take fraud seriously.
The Star Tribune quotes a spokesperson for Attorney General Keith Ellison,
Rep. Comer already knows about Attorney General Ellison’s consistent work to fight fraud. His persistent allegation that the Attorney General has not been working hard to combat fraud wherever he has the authority to do so is baseless and false.
I suppose nonexistent work would be considered “consistent” in the sense that its nullity would remained unchanged at all times. Perhaps a single specific example, just one, from any point in the past seven years would start to counter this “baseless” accusation.
The Star Tribune quotes Chairman Comer,
This is going to be our priority investigation going into the new year.
Buckle up!