Democracy Dies in Darkness

Key questions about Minnesota's fraud schemes and the billions in losses

Authorities have uncovered massive fraud in Minnesota, with billions of taxpayer dollars potentially lost

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson speaks during a news conference addressing fraud in Minnesota at the United States Courthouse in Minneapolis on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via AP)
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The full scale of the federal fraud schemes targeting Minnesota-run programs remains unknown, but prosecutors now say losses could reach into the billions .

Half or more of the roughly $18 billion in federal funds that supported 14 Minnesota-run programs since 2018 may have been stolen , First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson told reporters Thursday. Fraud was found in programs for things like child nutrition, housing services and autism.

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