FBI surges resources to Minnesota as Patel calls $250M fraud scheme ‘tip of iceberg’

FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency has surged additional personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota as part of an ongoing effort “to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.”

Patel said Sunday that the bureau moved resources into the state even before recent online attention intensified, pointing to the Feeding Our Future investigation, which uncovered a $250 million scheme that siphoned federal food aid intended for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The case has already resulted in 78 indictments and 57 convictions, with prosecutors also charging defendants in a separate plot to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash, Patel said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.

“The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing,” he wrote on X. “Furthermore, many are also being referred to immigrations officials for possible further denaturalization and deportation proceedings where eligible.”

Patel’s announcement comes in the wake of a viral video that raised questions about a daycare in Minneapolis that allegedly received millions in state funding despite appearing largely inactive. The video led political figures to call for accountability from Gov. Tim Walz and his administration.

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“The FBI is aware of recent social media reports in Minnesota,” Patel said, noting that the FBI’s latest actions began beforehand,

This is a developing news story; check back for updates.