Promises made by Democrat politicians in Minnesota to return campaign donations tied to a massive Somali fraud scheme have unraveled under scrutiny.
An investigation by The Center Square revealed that several Minnesota Democrats, despite public pledges, either delayed returning donations connected to the Feeding Our Future fraud or failed to provide proof of doing so.
The Minnesota politicians are refusing to give up the illicit funds, despite the theft of about $300 million in federal funds meant for children’s meals.
The issue has sparked intense debate over accountability and transparency in political fundraising, especially as newer indictments have not prompted swift action from some recipients of tainted funds.
Critics question why elected officials have not acted more decisively to distance themselves from money potentially obtained through fraud.
This hesitation fuels broader concerns about oversight in state politics.
Back in September 2022, when the first wave of indictments hit, some politicians moved to return questionable donations.
For instance, State Sen. John Hoffman, a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), sent eight contributions totaling $3,300 to the U.S. Marshals Service, believing it was the proper course of action.
“It was the right thing to do,” Hoffman told The Center Square.
Yet, not everyone followed suit with such clarity.
State Sen. Omar Fateh, a Democratic Socialist, returned 11 donations totaling $11,000 in early 2022 after federal search warrants became public.
However, records show two additional $1,000 contributions from individuals indicted in 2024 remain unreturned.
Fateh’s lack of response to inquiries only deepens the skepticism surrounding his commitment.
Then there’s Democrat Attorney General Keith Ellison, the state’s top law enforcement official, who returned a $2,500 donation from Liban Alishire after his indictment in 2022.
Yet, questions persist about other funds received after a December 2021 meeting with individuals later tied to the fraud.
A spokesperson claimed these donations went “to a fund administered by the federal government,” though no documentation or timeline was provided.
Ellison’s handling of donations has drawn particular attention, especially after four $2,500 contributions arrived on the same day shortly after that 2021 meeting.
One donor, Gandi Mohamed, was charged in 2024 with fraud and money laundering, and while Ellison reportedly returned that donation recently, the lack of transparency raises red flags.
Why the delay, and why no clear records?
Other campaigns show similar patterns of inaction.
Farhio Khalif, who lost a state Senate bid in 2022, received funds from Gandi Mohamed and a sibling facing fraud charges.
However, campaign records show no returns.
Khalif’s silence on the matter doesn’t help clarify her stance.
Former state Rep. John Thompson and Senate candidate Sahra Odowa, both Democrats, also received contributions linked to indicted individuals, with no evidence of refunds in their disclosures.
Democrat State Rep. Mohamud Noor, to his credit, promptly returned a $320 donation to Alishire after the 2022 indictment.
But these isolated acts of accountability feel like exceptions in a troubling trend.
The Feeding Our Future scandal has cast a shadow over Minnesota’s political landscape, with ties to the state’s large Somali community drawing added scrutiny since many of those accused or convicted are from this group.
This context must be handled with care as fraud is the issue, not heritage, and the focus should remain on systemic failures that allowed $300 million in federal aid to be misappropriated.
The expansion of fraud to other services like non-emergency medical transportation only underscores the urgency for reform.
State Rep. Kristin Robbins, a Republican leading a legislative committee on the fraud, has been vocal about the need for accountability.
Her push for answers from Ellison and others highlights a deeper concern about political ties potentially clouding judgment.
It’s a fair question to ask if some officials are too entangled to act decisively.
Robbins also sees Minnesota’s woes as a warning for the nation, suggesting patterns of fraud could emerge elsewhere.
This isn’t just a local problem, as it’s a wake-up call for tighter controls on federal aid programs.
Ignoring it risks repeating the same costly mistakes.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is demanding accountability.
The Trump administration is deploying over 2,000 federal agents to Minnesota for immigration enforcement and cutting funds to programs rife with fraud.
The Center Square’s five-year review of campaign data shows a persistent problem that demands more than promises.
Lawmakers like Robbins are right to keep digging, especially as new fraud schemes come to light.
Minnesota’s taxpayers deserve nothing less than full transparency and accountability.
READ MORE – Trump Calls for Ilhan Omar to Be ‘Jailed’ or Face ‘Worse Punishment’ Over Somali Fraud
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