FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Caleb Jungling 651.296.5529 (desk)
Caleb.Jungling@house.mn.gov
News Release
Attorney General Ellison testifies before House Fraud Committee on his agency’s role in preventing and prosecuting fraud, Feeding Our Future recording
ST. PAUL, MN — The House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove), held an important hearing today with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison regarding how his office is working to prevent and prosecute fraud and oversee charitable organizations in the state. Committee members also asked questions relating to an audio recording of an Ellison meeting in December 2021, with people involved in the Feeding Our Future scandal.
In the audio recording, exhibit 710 of United States v. Aimee Marie Bock, Attorney General Ellison is heard expressing sympathy for East African businesses under investigation by state agencies, including individuals later indicted and convicted in the largest fraud case in Minnesota history and the largest Covid-related fraud case in the country.
In the audio, Ellison is heard stating he would pressure state agencies on their behalf, despite the fact that, as Attorney General, he is tasked with representing those same agencies.
During today's testimony, serious contradictions emerged between Ellison’s past public statements and the record now available. In September 2022, Ellison’s office issued a statement claiming it "jumpstarted" the Feeding Our Future investigation and had been “deeply involved for two years.” However, in today’s hearing, Ellison testified that he had no knowledge of the scandal at the time of a December 2021 meeting with individuals tied to the fraud. Additional audio from June 2021 further suggests Ellison had earlier awareness of issues with Feeding Our Future than he previously acknowledged.
Chair Robbins emphasized the critical importance of getting to the truth.
"There are still unresolved questions about when the Attorney General became aware of Feeding Our Future’s misconduct, how vigorously he defended his clients, the state agencies, and whether he put undue pressure on agencies to back down," said Chair Robbins. "We need full transparency to ensure that Minnesotans' taxpayer dollars are protected, and that our state’s top legal office is held to the highest standards of integrity."
Further concerns were raised about political contributions Ellison received from individuals later indicted in the scandal, and whether follow-up actions were taken after Ellison requested the names of businesses experiencing problems with state agencies.
The committee intends to continue investigating these matters to protect taxpayers and restore accountability and trust in Minnesota’s institutions.
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