Republican-led Congressional report accuses Ellison and Walz of doing nothing to prevent fraud

Ellison told KSTP-TV's Tom Hauser on the WCCO Morning News that he hasn't read the 200-page report from the House Oversight Committee - but added he has a good idea what's in it.

"It sounds like it's a partisan electioneering from using official resources, which is really unfortunate," Ellison said Monday. "Here's the thing, you know, we've prosecuted over 340 people and convicted them for Medicaid fraud."

Ellison also pointed out legislation that adds more resources to crack down on fraud.

The report says Ellison and Walz failed for years to act on warnings about fraud in the state’s social services programs. It also says they allowed hundreds of millions of dollars in confirmed or alleged losses, with billions more being at risk.

He says the state of Minnesota is more focused on getting answers to fraudulent activity in Minnesota instead of assigning blame. Ellison also said the state has prosecuted a number of fraud cases.

"We're doing the work. We're not engaged in a political process the way that committee is," Ellison claims. "We're more focused on getting to answers, not trying to assign blame for the purposes of an election."

At least 98 defendants have been formally indicted for felony fraud-related crimes since federal crackdowns accelerated in the last four years. Between over 60 individuals have officially been found guilty through jury trials or plea deals. There are a number of ongoing investigations and prosecutions, including 15 more people charged in potentially $90 million worth of Medicaid fraud in May.

Ellison and Walz last year testified before the House Oversight Committee that drafted the report after some federal officials estimated that the amount of taxpayer money stolen could reach as high as $9 billion.

During those hearings, Minnesota Congressman and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer accused Ellison specifically of turning a blind eye to an issue he says Ellison had been aware of for years.

You can read the entire report here:

MN Fraud Final Staff Report by Lindsey

Minnesota's issues with fraud have made it a clear target of Republicans in Washington, and the Trump administration who earlier this year announced they were withholding $2 billion in federal Medicaid funding in an effort to curb fraud inside that program. Since then, over 3,400 Minnesota Medicaid providers have been disenrolled as a part of a an effort to secure billions in federal aid.

Based on the Committee’s findings, House Committee on Oversight and Government Chairman James Comer also sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance urging the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to "conduct a thorough review" of Minnesota’s social services programs.

“Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are responsible for one of the most stunning oversight failures this Committee has ever examined,” said Comer (R-Ky.). "Today’s report is the culmination of months of investigative work and reveals hard evidence showing how the Walz Administration failed to stop widespread fraud, allowing criminals to enrich themselves at the expense of American taxpayers. Billions of dollars were stolen because Minnesota state leaders turned a blind eye to rampant fraud and retaliated against state employees who dared to raise concerns. It is now clear the Walz Administration chose to protect the system rather than protect the taxpayer. Americans are fed up with fraud and expect action from the government entrusted with their hard-earned money. The House Oversight Committee has now passed over a dozen bills aimed at protecting taxpayer funds and strengthening oversight of federal programs ripe for fraud. This Committee will continue to work alongside President Trump’s anti-fraud task force to have the backs of hardworking Americans."