From a jail cell in Minnesota, Aimee Bock, once the head of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, has made startling allegations about the state’s largest fraud scheme. She claims that Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison possessed knowledge of widespread fraud long before federal intervention.
Bock’s claims, made during an interview, center on the assertion that state officials continued to approve and disburse funds despite internal warnings about potentially fraudulent activity. She alleges a systemic failure to investigate suspicious claims and sponsors, even after she personally flagged them.
“I honestly believe Keith Ellison and Gov. Walz need to be held accountable,” Bock stated. She called for a thorough investigation, suggesting that their awareness – or lack thereof – is deeply concerning given their subsequent involvement with the FBI.
Bock contends that the governor’s office and the Attorney General were informed, yet seemingly unable to act decisively. She expressed frustration, implying her own involvement was unfairly scrutinized while larger issues were ignored.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Ellison vehemently dismissed Bock’s accusations, labeling her a “liar, fraudster, and manipulator.” The spokesperson emphasized Bock’s conviction and asserted she is attempting to deflect blame rather than accept responsibility.
The office maintained that federal and state investigators conducted a meticulous examination of the crimes committed by Bock and her associates, and that her guilt was proven in court. They categorically denied her claims regarding Attorney General Ellison, calling them baseless.
Federal prosecutors have detailed a scheme involving over $250 million in stolen funds, intended for child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fraud involved the creation of fake restaurants used to falsely claim reimbursements.
The Governor’s office has not yet issued a public response to these allegations. The scale of the investigation is immense, with the Department of Justice charging 98 individuals in Minnesota, a significant number of whom are of Somali descent.
To date, 64 defendants have been convicted. The DOJ has issued over 1,750 subpoenas, executed more than 130 search warrants, and conducted over 1,000 witness interviews as part of this sweeping federal probe.
Federal prosecutors now estimate that at least $9 billion may have been stolen through multiple fraud schemes within Minnesota. This staggering figure has prompted serious concerns about the extent of the problem.
Representative James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, has expressed alarm at the “breathtaking” scope of the fraud. He suggests that Minnesota’s Democratic leadership, including Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison, were either negligent or complicit in allowing the scheme to flourish.
Comer argues that these officials failed the people of Minnesota and the nation, allowing millions of taxpayer dollars to fall into the hands of fraudsters. The investigation continues to unfold, raising critical questions about oversight and accountability.
