House Oversight hearing alleges widespread fraud tied to Minnesota’s Somali community; Comer says DOJ is investigating

WASHINGTON — Witnesses at a U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing on alleged fraud in Minnesota told lawmakers that the state failed to stop what they described as large-scale fraud affecting the Somali community and that political considerations led state officials to ignore or retaliate against whistleblowers.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer framed the testimony as "the tip of the iceberg," saying his panel had uncovered a political motive and that whistleblowers had warned Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison for years. "The Department of Justice is already on the ground," Comer said, and investigators "have already arrested several dozen people," he added, predicting that arrests could increase.

The hearing opened with questioning about whether the Somali community is an important Democratic constituency and whether that created an incentive to avoid investigating alleged fraud. A witness called the Somali community "an important demographic" and said investigating the matter would have harmed Democratic electoral standing.

At one point a witness asked, "Why would Governor Walz let $9 billion in fraud occur?" Another witness, identified in the hearing as Mister Hudson, said the omission was "politically beneficial" because the Somali community is a large constituency.

Witnesses also alleged that, when state auditors or inspectors reported suspected fraud, the reports were suppressed and some state employees who raised concerns were retaliated against. Committee members said a video that circulated publicly helped renew attention to the allegations.

Chairman Comer said the investigation will expand beyond Minnesota after whistleblowers from other states came forward. Comer repeated an allegation that both Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison "knew about this fraud" and therefore could face liability; the hearing transcript contains no recorded response from Walz or Ellison.

Representative Omar was mentioned by members as having not asked to participate; committee members said she was invited to testify at a future hearing.

The committee did not record a formal vote or take an administrative action during the segment. Comer told the anchor he would return with updates as the investigation continues.

The Department of Justice and representatives for Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison did not appear in the hearing transcript to respond to the claims recorded in this segment.