Minnesota AG Storms Off When Questioned About Billion-Dollar Fraud Scandal

Clear Facts

• Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison abruptly ended an interview when pressed about his handling of the state’s massive fraud scandal
• Vice President JD Vance threatened to refer Ellison to the Justice Department for allegedly having prior knowledge of widespread fraud schemes
• Federal investigators estimate that roughly half of $18 billion paid through 14 Medicaid programs since 2018 may have been fraudulent

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison walked away from a reporter when questioned about his handling of the state’s multi-billion dollar fraud scandal. The confrontation came after Vice President JD Vance threatened to refer him to the Justice Department for investigation.

“That is a false number,” Ellison said when asked about the widely cited $8 billion fraud estimate. “The fact is, is that fraud is always wrong.”

“Why don’t you give me a break, man?” he continued.

The comments follow Vance’s announcement that he would press the Justice Department to investigate Ellison’s alleged knowledge of widespread fraud schemes operating in Minnesota. Vance heads the Trump administration’s new anti-fraud task force.

When the reporter cited common estimates placing Minnesota fraud at approximately $8 billion, Ellison grew visibly frustrated and attacked the question as politically motivated.

“If you ask the newspapers for a forensic accounting, the number you mentioned is tightly identified with people of a very unique political persuasion aligned with the Trump administration,” Ellison told Fox News Digital.

“So, I’m done talking to you. Bye-bye,” he said as he walked away.

The reporter attempted to clarify that he wanted Ellison to address the number directly, citing multiple reports. Ellison continued to question the reporter’s credibility and sources.

“It’s wrong though. And if you’re a real reporter, you should know that,” he said, pointing at the reporter.

The $8 billion estimate has been widely cited by both the House Oversight Committee and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson. Federal investigators have consistently argued that potentially billions of dollars were lost to fraud in Minnesota’s public assistance programs.

Thompson stated that investigators have reason to believe roughly half of the $18 billion paid through 14 Medicaid programs since 2018 could have been part of a major fraud scheme. That would place the actual fraud total closer to $9 billion.

The scandal gained national attention through congressional investigations and a series of high-profile fraud cases involving federally funded nutrition, education and Medicaid-related programs. Prosecutors have alleged that multiple nonprofit organizations diverted millions of taxpayer dollars through fraudulent schemes, many of which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several of the most prominent cases, including the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, were connected to Minnesota’s Somali community. The Feeding Our Future case alone involved more than $250 million in fraudulent claims.

House Oversight Committee investigators have argued that Ellison was aware of fraud concerns years before the scandal surfaced. Their conclusion is based on interviews with education, human services and executive-office officials who raised red flags about the programs.

Critics argue that Ellison’s refusal to address the fraud estimates directly, combined with his defensive reaction to questioning, raises additional concerns about transparency and accountability. The Attorney General’s office is responsible for investigating and prosecuting fraud cases in Minnesota.

The confrontation highlights growing tensions between state officials and federal investigators seeking answers about how billions in taxpayer funds may have been stolen. The Trump administration has made combating fraud in federal assistance programs a top priority.

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