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RELEASE: Kiel urges hearings, transparency from Walz/MDE on fraud scandal

Monday, September 26, 2022

News Release 

 

Kiel urges hearings, transparency from Walz/MDE on fraud scandal

Crookston, MN — Rep. Deb Kiel, R-Crookston, and House Republicans continued calls this week for answers from the Walz administration and hearings by Democrats in the Minnesota House in response to the Feeding our Future Fraud scandal, described as the largest pandemic fraud case in the United States, and likely the largest fraud cases in Minnesota history. House Republicans sent a letter last week calling on the Chairs of the House Education Committees to hold hearings and investigate the Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) involvement in the fraud case. While MDE has tried to cast blame to the courts, there was no court ruling reinstating the flow of funds to fraudulent organizations according to a bombshell statement from Ramsey County District Court Judge John Guthmann released last Friday.

Specifically, Kiel and House Republicans want answers on why MDE voluntarily restarted payments to the Feeding our Future fraudsters, why MDE and the Walz administration misled the public with claims of a nonexistent court ruling, and why the DFL has yet to hold a single hearing on the largest fraud case in state history.

“Instead of being straightforward about what really happened, Governor Walz and House DFL leaders are avoiding having a conversation in public about one of the biggest fraud cases in state history," said Kiel. "It is time for House committees to do their jobs and demand answers about how this massive fraud was allowed to happen."

While in interim before the beginning of the 93rd Legislative Session this coming January, House Committees Chairs are still free to call hearings with their members and prepare for the next session.

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