Walz subpoenaed by House for COVID fraud oversight failure

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was subpoenaed by the House Education Committee on Wednesday as part of the GOP lawmakers' latest investigation into the Democratic presidential ticket, probing into an issue that has long been Walz's kryptonite: child nutrition programs.

Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate has focused on making his state the best place to raise a family and notably created universal school meals. But his administration's role in a fraud case involving children is now in the spotlight.

A Minnesota-based nonprofit, Feeding Our Future, is accused of misusing $250 million of taxpayer dollars from a COVID-19 relief fund intended to feed children in need.

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Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., wrote in the letter that the committee is investigating Walz's oversight of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), which administered the federal child nutrition program.

"As the chief executive and the highest ranking official in the state of Minnesota, you are responsible for the MDE and its administration of (federal child nutrition programs)," she said.

Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong, Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack were also subpoenaed.

NBC News first reported the subpoenas.

When in doubt, subpoena it out

House GOP leadership is shifting its sights away from former President Joe Biden, who stepped off the ticket in July to make way for Harris and new Democratic hopefuls.

Earlier this month, the House Oversight Committee opened an investigation into Walz's ties to China. During his tenure as a geography teacher, Walz spent a year teaching in the region and coordinated his high school's annual trips to China.

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The committee has also probed Harris for her role as the southern border liaison as migrant influxes surge.

The House Armed Services subcommittee is targeting Walz for misstatements about his time serving in the U.S. Army National Guard.

Feeding our Future fraud

Walz has not shied away from addressing the largest pandemic relief fraud in the nation, which happened right under his nose.

At a press conference in August, before being picked by Harris, Walz addressed his administration's lack of fraud prevention and a scathing legislative audit that called the MDE's oversight "inadequate."

"I think what you're seeing is if you commit fraud in Minnesota, you are going to be caught as you are going to go to prison," Walz said. He pointed to administrative changes and safeguards to prevent future fraud, such as implementing an inspector general for the MDE.

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The federal government charged over 70 defendants, five of whom have been convicted of fraud, while the rest await trial.

Feeding our Future benefited from the child nutrition program designed to aid hungry children during the pandemic, as schools and care facilities were shut down. Prosecutors allege Feeding our Future submitted fake names of children to the Department of Education to receive funds.

Walz and the other officials subpoenaed have until Sept. 18 to release the documents requested.

— Sam Woodward is the Minnesota elections reporting fellow for USA TODAY, focusing on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's candidacy. You can reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Walz probed by GOP-led House committee over COVID fraud case