On Wednesday, Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was issued a subpoena as part of an ongoing investigation into the state’s management of federal child nutrition programs and the widespread fraud associated with the Feeding Our Future (FOF) scandal. The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), is demanding documents and communications from Walz and his administration concerning their oversight of these programs amid the fraudulent activities.
The probe focuses on how the Minnesota Department of Education (DoE) handled federal funds allocated for child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit organization, is at the center of one of the largest fraud cases in the U.S., accused of diverting tens of millions of dollars intended to feed hungry children. Despite numerous red flags and warnings, the State DoE continued to issue payments to FOF.
The case emerged in early 2022 when federal authorities charged numerous individuals associated with Feeding Our Future (FOF) with fraud. The nonprofit is accused of diverting millions from the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) through a network of shell companies. The misappropriated funds meant to provide meals to children in underserved communities were allegedly spent on personal luxuries such as expensive cars, homes, and vacations.
Walz faced criticism for his administration’s inability to prevent the fraudulent misuse of funds, as noted in a subpoena obtained by Punchbowl News. The subpoena states, “The actions taken by you and other executive officers were insufficient to address the massive fraud.” The House committee, which oversees federal education and nutrition programs, had previously requested information from the Minnesota DoE in November 2023 and June 2024. The Committee indicated that the responses provided were incomplete, leading to the issuance of the subpoena to obtain additional documentation.
Walz has stated that his administration did not commit any wrongdoing. He admitted that the state could have provided better oversight of the program, but he stressed that no state employees were directly involved in the fraud. “This wasn’t malfeasance,” Walz stated in a June 2024 interview, adding that employees “simply didn’t do as much due diligence as they should have.”
However, the Committee’s letter implies otherwise, referencing public statements and media reports that suggest Walz and other state officials may have had more involvement in the administration of the programs than they previously acknowledged. The subpoena specifically seeks documents related to the Minnesota DoE’s decision to resume payments to FOF despite ongoing concerns about its operations.
In addition to the subpoena, the Committee requested information about communications between the Walz administration and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FBI, which are involved in the investigation. The subpoena also aims to obtain records regarding any disciplinary actions taken against state employees in light of the fraud revelations.
The subpoena against Walz comes at a crucial time as he aims to become the future vice president. Virginia Foxx, the Republican chairwoman of the Committee, has been outspoken in her criticism of Walz.In the letter accompanying the subpoena, Foxx wrote, “The fraud in the FCNP is within the Committee’s jurisdiction and is a subject on which legislation could be had.” Foxx suggested that the investigation could lead to a new measure aimed at tightening oversight of federal nutrition programs to prevent future fraud.