Homeland Security agents are in Minneapolis conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud. Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations branch are expected to inspect more than 30 locations across the city on Monday, according to two DHS officials.
Asked whether the Minneapolis operation is focused on fraud or immigration enforcement, a senior DHS official said it involves “a little bit of everything.” The operation follows remarks by FBI Director Kash Patel, who said recent fraud arrests in Minnesota represent “just the tip of a very large iceberg” and that the FBI has “surged personnel and investigative resources” to the state to probe fraud schemes.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said that fraud across multiple programs, including schemes like Feeding Our Future, could total around $1 billion, and noted that all 14 Medicaid programs deemed “high risk” for fraud are under federal investigation and subject to third-party payment audits.
More than 90 people have been accused, and in many cases convicted, of defrauding the state of hundreds of millions of dollars, placing Minnesota officials under scrutiny and drawing criticism from President Trump.
