If you're not familiar with Leeja's channel, I highly recommend it. I've been watching her for years and really appreciate her (well-researched) deep dives into topics related to politics, government, and law.

I’ve been seeing this in the news lately, but I remain unsure if these are isolated incidents or something more systemic. This Feeding Our Future case seems to be pretty big, with what appears to be at least $250 million in fraud. Reporting describes it as one of the largest pandemic related fraud cases in the country. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-to-know-about-minnesota-fraud-allegations-as-trump-levels-attacks-on-walz/

Federal prosecutors are also pursuing multiple additional fraud investigations in Minnesota involving Medicaid and other social services programs, including autism services and housing stabilization services and daycare. Federal officials have described the scope of the problem as unusually large. https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/12/18/u-s-attorney-fraud-likely-exceeds-9-billion-in-minnesota-run-medicaid-services/ MPR News reporting on new charges: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/12/18/minnesota-fraud-new-charges-medicaid-scam https://kstp.com/tracking-your-tax-dollars/whistleblower-minnesotas-child-care-assistance-program-has-fraud-cases-dating-back-12-years/ https://m.economictimes.com/us/news/empty-daycare-centers-millions-in-public-funds-viral-video-sparks-minnesota-fraud-scrutiny/articleshow/126213876.cms

For people who follow Minnesota politics or public administration more closely: how should all of this be understood? Are these just unusually large fraud cases that happen to be concentrated in one state, or do they point to broader systemic issues? How does this compare to fraud in other states? And what should change to prevent similar problems going forward?

What tf is going on in Minnesota? Industrial-scale fraud is occurring in this state, and no one on Reddit seems to be paying attention. Every aspect of Minnesota's social services is being shamelessly pillaged. Feeding our Futures scandal, at least 250 million, probably 10x that number when all stones are unturned, 878 arrested so far. Housing Stabilization Services Fraud, at least 300 million pilfered, 5 arrested so far. Autism Services (EIDBI Program) Fraud, Broader Medicaid and Social Services Fraud, and now the latest child care services fraud, where millions of dollars were sent to empty storefronts posing as child care facilities. This is gross criminal negligence on the part of Minnesota's leadership. People seriously need to be imprisoned.

And by the way, the same level of corruption and scandal is being uncovered in California now. Seems to be a certain pattern forming.

I'm trying to understand the liberal perspective on this without any gotchas...

The Minnesota fraud scandals have been huge news lately: federal prosecutors estimate potentially $9B+ stolen from 14 state-run programs since 2018 (half or more of the $18B disbursed), including child nutrition (Feeding Our Future), child care assistance (CCAP with "ghost" centers), autism services, and housing programs. Dozens of centers billed for non-existent services, with funds allegedly going to luxury cars, homes, overseas properties, etc.Examples that stand out: "Quality Learing Center" (sign misspells "learning", are you kidding) in Minneapolis: millions in subsidies despite 95+ violations, empty during visits, blacked-out. Fruad. actual, measureable, fruad.

Nationally, improper payments/fraud in federal programs hit $162B in FY2024, with child care and welfare vulnerabilities in states like Illinois, California, etc.—not just Minnesota.

Critics (across parties) blame weak oversight, self-reporting loopholes, and pandemic waivers. Gov. Walz has implemented fixes (e.g., fraud unit, payment stops), and there's bipartisan pushback now.

But why doesn't this level of direct taxpayer theft (billions vanishing while programs meant for vulnerable kids/families get exploited) spark the same intense outrage/protests on the left as, say, corporate subsidies, billionaire loopholes, or environmental issues?

Is it seen as isolated/systemic but fixable without slashing programs?

Or more a failure of administration than the programs themselves?

Do liberals view this as worth aggressive reforms (tighter verification, cuts to risky providers) to protect social safety nets? Or is the bigger priority preserving access for those who need it, even with some waste?Thanks for thoughtful responses!

Update: I also just read that after this dude was found guilty, the judge overturned the results. Come on?!?

Nick Shirley is a dishonest right-wing hack so he's not a credible source, but here's a news story from KSTP on the exact same thing with much more credible backing.

(There's a video too but the sub doesn't allow just YouTube videos as links, but here is the full article which includes it if interested.)

Is this actual fraud or another republican propaganda piece? I keep seeing memes about it.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/minnesotas-alleged-daycare-fraud-crisis-explained-128783188

I absolutely loathe the idea of fraud in the sense of taking money meant for hungry kids or programs that were taking advantage of by people who were using it to just try and get rich.

I see all this stuff about how it was Walz fault and they are blaming him.

I truly think Walz is the best modern politician, probably the best in the country, and I find it hard to believe he knowingly allow fraud to happen or got any kickbacks from it or anything like people say.

Can someone give me a rundown of the fraud and if Walz was involved at all other than signing the bill that authorized funds? Thanks.

How much waste and fraud do you think is going on at the State level and the City of Seattle?

These journalists uncovered rampant fraud, not any state government agencies.

I’m trying to sort through the noise regarding child care and other fraud in Minnesota.

Unfortunately I’ve had trouble finding facts. Most of what I read is either political spin, or generic stories with glossed-over data.

Is there any **evidence** that Gov Walz did anything illegal? Not spin, but evidence or even legit reasonable cause to suspect? (Or was he slow to act, or slow to publicize state actions, perhaps to protect political allies?)

If the scale of fraud is $1-6b, what proportion is that of the State’s overall programs? In other words, how big is it really? Fox News and the R candidate for governor makes it seem like the entire state is a fraud. While Walz’s press releases lean towards “it’s just a few rotten apples”.

Anyone know the facts?

Basically a total reddit blackout on this topic, there’s gotta be some middle ground discussion here. Is it Russian disinformation or is that just reddit cope?