Patel surging FBI resources to ‘dismantle’ Minnesota fraud schemes

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FBI Director Kash Patel announced that he is surging federal agents and “investigative resources” to Minnesota as a fraud scandal mostly involving Somali immigrants continues to grip the state.

In a update on Sunday, Patel said the bureau’s investigation will look to “dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs,” some of which have already been uncovered.

Patel pointed to numerous indictments and convictions handed down last month against individuals involved with Feeding Our Future, a Minnesota-based organization that stole $250 million worth of federal funds meant for vulnerable children during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Department of Justice, the money was not used for children’s meals but instead to fund the organization’s leaders’ “lavish lifestyles.” Some funds were also reportedly funneled to the Somali-based al Shabaab terrorist group.

Patel said that scheme is “just the tip of a very large iceberg,” vowing to “continue to follow the money and protect children.”

“Fraud that steals from taxpayers and robs vulnerable children will remain a top FBI priority in Minnesota and nationwide,” he added.

Other alleged fraud schemes have since been uncovered, including by independent journalist Nick Shirley.

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