Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's administration is scrambling to defend itself after a viral video exposed what appears to be a massive taxpayer-funded fraud scheme. Independent journalist Nick Shirley released footage showing numerous "learning centers" in Minneapolis that appeared empty or inactive despite receiving millions in state aid.
The video features one facility with a misspelled sign reading "Quality Learing Center," which reportedly received roughly $4 million in state funds. Critics argue the footage reveals how Minnesota’s sprawling aid bureaucracy has become a playground for organized fraud under Democrat leadership.
In response to the backlash, Walz’s team claimed the governor has worked for years to crack down on these criminal operations. They pointed to the hiring of outside auditors and the creation of a new program integrity director to oversee high-risk payments.
However, national figures are now calling for accountability and aggressive prosecution. Tesla CEO Elon Musk accused the governor of corruption, while Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer demanded immediate answers regarding the lack of oversight.
Federal authorities are also stepping in to investigate what they believe is a large-scale criminal network. FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau has surged personnel to Minnesota to dismantle fraud schemes that exploit federal social service programs.
Estimates from federal investigators suggest that up to $9 billion in federal grants to Minnesota may have been stolen since 2018. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer has expanded a congressional probe into the matter, citing concerns over "massive fraud and money laundering."+1