5 revelations from 'Federal Fumbles' report: From trans animal experiments to Minnesota fraud schemes
3. Millions lost in fraud schemes in Minnesota
The report also documented a fraud scheme in Minnesota to highlight the waste and abuse in federal aid programs. One of the largest COVID-19-related fraud schemes involved a Minnesota-based nonprofit, Feeding Our Future, which was meant to help feed children during the pandemic.
Multiple individuals were accused of claiming to feed millions of children, but were actually stealing the money instead, with prosecutors estimating the losses in the case at $300 million.
In statements to the media, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joe Thompson estimated that the scope of the fraud in Minnesota government programs could exceed $1 billion. The state's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz also conceded that the total amount stolen through these fraud schemes could be as much as $1 billion.
To address fraud in federal aid programs, Lankford has introduced various pieces of legislation, including the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, the Safeguarding the Transparency and Efficiency of Payments Act and the Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act.
“The American people gave Washington a mandate in the last election: waste less, and save more. Fraud within federal programs such as food aid programs is theft from American taxpayers, and safeguards are essential to better steward their hard-earned dollars,” Lankford declared in his report.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
