Minneapolis, Minnesota — Senior Justice Department officials directed the FBI to examine whether political campaigns in Minnesota improperly benefited from funds tied to large-scale public benefits fraud schemes, according to people familiar with the discussions.
The request, made roughly two weeks ago by attorneys working under Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, asked the FBI’s public corruption unit to investigate whether illegally obtained money from nonprofit food assistance and community care organizations was funneled into political campaigns. The inquiry follows years-long federal prosecutions connected to the Feeding Our Future fraud case, which involved misuse of federal funds meant to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to CNN, the FBI informed Justice Department leadership that it is reviewing the matter but has not found evidence of campaign finance violations. Nearly 80 individuals have already been indicted in the broader fraud investigation, which dates back several years and includes a January 2022 raid.
The renewed scrutiny was reportedly prompted in part by a Washington Examiner article claiming that Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar received campaign donations from individuals later implicated in the fraud. Campaign finance records show Walz received small donations between 2017 and 2022, while Omar returned contributions she received in 2021 to local food pantries.
The investigation comes amid heightened tensions between Minnesota officials and the Trump administration following immigration enforcement actions and protests in Minneapolis. Legal experts note that directing politically sensitive investigations from Washington is uncommon, as such probes typically originate with field offices.
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