The medical director overseeing Minnesota’s Medicaid program is listed as a host for a campaign fundraiser benefiting Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, raising questions about the line between official duties and political activity at an agency consumed by a fraud crisis. Dr. Nathan Chomilo, who serves as medical director for Minnesota’s Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs, is one of six hosts named on the invitation for an Oct. 1 Minneapolis fundraiser supporting Flanagan’s U.S. Senate campaign.
The invitation frames the gathering as an event for “physicians and healthcare workers,” with suggested contributions ranging from $100 to $3,500 for donors seeking “Champion” status. The Department of Human Services, which Chomilo works for, currently has 1,702 open program-integrity cases and another 3,266 open intakes, while 14 Medicaid service provider types have been designated “high-risk” due to fraudulent activity and suspicious billing patterns.
Anonymous State Employee Account Flags Chomilo’s Role
An anonymous account on X called Minnesota Staff Fraud Reporting Commentary, which describes itself as commentary from “over 1,000 Minnesota State Employees” concerned about fraud in public service, was among the first to draw attention to Chomilo’s involvement. The account posted that Medicaid director fundraiser for Flanagan had been flagged as a potential conflict. “Minnesota deserves clear answers on where personal political activity ends and official state authority begins,” the account wrote.
Republican political commentator Dustin Grage said the situation should “raise some serious red flags.” “Apparently, the people who were supposed to be watching the money are too busy raising it for Peggy Flanagan,” he wrote. The fundraiser is drawing scrutiny partly because the DHS fraud crisis unfolded during the Walz-Flanagan administration, and critics have directed blame at the administration for allowing it to grow.
DHS Defends Chomilo, Limits His Fraud Oversight Role
The Department of Human Services defended Chomilo’s participation, telling reporters that state employees are not required to seek approval before engaging in political activities outside of work. Government may not infringe on employees’ First Amendment rights to freedom of speech,” DHS said in a statement, pointing to Minnesota Management and Budget policies on state employee political activity.
The agency also moved to define the boundaries of Chomilo’s responsibilities. “While every state employee plays a role in maintaining program integrity, the DHS Medicaid medical director has no direct responsibility for provider revalidation, payment suspensions, fraud investigations or enforcement activities,” DHS said. Beyond his Medicaid role, Chomilo has built a public profile centered on racial equity and healthcare, including activism connected to the death of George Floyd.
Terminated Provider Tied to Flanagan Friend Adds to Scrutiny
The fundraiser announcement comes as DHS faces separate scrutiny over the termination of an autism treatment provider operated by Nimco Ahmed, described as a personal friend and political ally of Flanagan spanning nearly 25 years. DHS confirmed an open investigation into Ahmed’s autism center, and the case has drawn national attention given Flanagan’s close ties to Ahmed.
Flanagan is currently running for U.S. Senate to represent Minnesota. With the Oct. 1 fundraiser approaching and ongoing federal and state oversight of DHS programs, pressure is likely to continue on the agency and on Flanagan’s campaign to address questions about the intersection of program integrity and political fundraising inside state government.
