Minnesota AG Pitches Himself as Fraud Fighter as State Faces Billions in Losses [WATCH]

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is facing renewed criticism following a social media post in which he promoted his office’s efforts to combat scammers, as critics pointed to a series of large-scale fraud schemes that have taken place in the state during his tenure.

Ellison posted the message on X alongside a stylized video portraying him as a boxer, framing his office’s work against fraud as a personal fight.

“Scammers thought Minnesotans were easy targets. They were wrong,” Ellison wrote.

“From student loan scams to fake utility callers, we shut them down this year — fast.”

In the accompanying video, Ellison continued the boxing theme, presenting himself as confronting criminals directly.

“If you plan to scam Minnesotans, think again. You’re stepping into the wrong ring,”

Ellison said in the video while pointing toward the camera.

Scammers thought Minnesotans were easy targets.
They were wrong.

From student loan scams to fake utility callers, we shut them down this year — fast. pic.twitter.com/fNVqctMy8N

— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) December 19, 2025

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The post quickly drew responses from critics who argued that the message overlooked Minnesota’s role in some of the largest fraud cases in the country in recent years.

Several high-profile investigations and prosecutions have centered on fraud schemes operating in the state, particularly involving nonprofit organizations and government assistance programs.

One of the most prominent cases involved the now-defunct nonprofit Feed Our Future, which federal prosecutors say stole roughly $250 million in taxpayer funds through a pandemic-era child nutrition program.

The scheme resulted in multiple convictions and remains one of the largest fraud cases prosecuted in Minnesota.

Records show that Ellison was among several Democratic officials in the state who received campaign contributions connected to individuals later charged in the case.

Other recipients included Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Rep. Ilhan Omar. Collectively, the contributions from those connected to Feed Our Future totaled more than $53,000.

Beyond that case, fraud has been described by federal authorities as a persistent and widespread problem in Minnesota.

Prosecutors have pointed to extensive abuse within public assistance programs, including Medicaid.

Federal officials have suggested that fraud tied to Minnesota’s Medicaid program alone could reach as much as $9 billion.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson addressed the scope of the issue in recent remarks.

“The magnitude of fraud in Minnesota cannot be overstated. It’s staggering amounts of money that have been lost,” Thompson said.

Critics of Ellison argue that his video focused on relatively small-scale scams while failing to address the broader and more costly fraud schemes that have plagued the state.

How could your team make this video when it was under your nose that Somalis in your state stole up to $9 billion of taxpayer funds meant to help Americans in need?

— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) December 20, 2025

Many of those schemes have involved networks operating through nonprofit organizations and businesses, with several cases involving members of Minnesota’s immigrant Somali community drawing national attention.

The criticism has also extended beyond state officials. President Donald Trump has previously singled out Minnesota’s leadership over the issue, publicly describing the state as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.”

His comments came as federal prosecutors continued to announce convictions and sentences connected to fraud operations based in Minnesota.

Ellison’s office has defended its work by pointing to enforcement actions against consumer scams and other illegal activity.

However, the timing and tone of the video drew scrutiny given the ongoing investigations and the scale of the fraud cases still moving through the courts.

The controversy highlights continuing concerns about accountability and oversight in Minnesota, particularly as federal authorities continue to uncover and prosecute fraud schemes involving public funds.

While Ellison’s post emphasized recent actions against scammers, critics argue that broader questions remain about how such extensive fraud was allowed to take root and persist in the state.

Ellison has not issued an additional public response addressing the specific criticisms raised after his post.

The attorney general remains in office as prosecutions connected to Minnesota-based fraud schemes continue at the federal level, with additional cases and sentencing hearings still pending.