In a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, Minnesota House Republicans are asking for an investigation into overall fraud in Minnesota.
The letter alleges that mismanagement of state funds under Governor Tim Walz’s (DFL) Administration has cost taxpayers over $610 million.
Republican House Majority Leader Harry Niska (Ramsey) says their new fraud prevention committee has already been working on solutions to the problem.
"We want to make sure that there is a new Office of Inspector General that's independent from the executive branch, that can provide some oversight," says Niska. "We want to make sure that there are mechanisms set up when we are considering new legislation to consider specifically the risks of fraud. We want to make sure that there are protections for whistleblowers."
Niska says despite a handful of new proposals coming from the Walz Administration aimed at cracking down on fraud, it's too little, too late.
According to House Republicans, the state under Governor Tim Walz’s administration has seen a blatant lack of accountability.
"Well, there hasn't been a single commissioner fired by the Walz Administration for the mismanagement and fraud that's happened over the last six years," Niska says. "That there has been a culture within the Walz Administration that has allowed fraud and mismanagement to happen."
Republicans are also urging the Trump Administration to quickly confirm a new permanent U.S. Attorney for Minnesota to help in the fight against "rampant fraud" statewide. Minnesota's most recent U.S. Attorney, Andrew Luger, officially announced his resignation effective January 15 of this year.