(WND)—Ilhan Omar, the Somali-born member of Congress representing a Somali immigrant-majority district in Minnesota, is caught up now in investigations of multiple scenarios that could involve massive fraud.
Federal authorities are looking into whether she “married” a brother years ago in order to get for him authorization papers to remain in the United States. There’s a possibility her entire family misled American authorities when they arrived as refugees. She’s also reported a stunning reversal of fortunes, with her net worth exploding from a few thousands to some $30 million in a year, then collapsing back to about $100,000 just as quickly.
And then there’s her involvement in the documented fraud in the Feeding Our Future program in Minnesota.
Multiple convictions already have been obtained in that $250 million fraud that essentially involved “providers” who claimed to be serving children food during the COVID era but didn’t. Then they billed for millions of dollars in federal taxpayer money for reimbursement anyway.
Court documents show there were multiple email conversations between Omar’s office and the leader of that scheme, now convicted.
The scheme took advantage of the MEALS Act, by Omar, which relaxed reporting requirements for those groups claiming reimbursements.
Her involved in Feeding Our Future now is under review by, among others, state lawmakers in Minnesota, to whom she refused to supply requested documents.
Now she’s made a statement on that issue, suggesting it’s President Trump’s fault.
“Any claim that I had knowledge of this scheme is flat-out false,” she told Fox. “The MEALS Act was signed into law by President Trump and passed with bipartisan support as part of a broader legislative package. Trump’s USDA Secretary set the regulatory framework during the rollout of the program. I have always championed feeding kids and will continue to ensure our children do not go hungry.”
She claimed the “moment” the program fraud came to light, she “immediately sent a letter to the USDA Secretary demanding answers and accountability.”
A report at Fox News said she’s facing an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over her surging, and deflating, “finances.”
Her most recent update on that dispute said her reported wealth of $30 million from just a year ago now is less than $100,000.
Fox reported that her comments have “suggested the Trump administration bears responsibility.”
She continued, “As I stated from the beginning, stealing millions of dollars under the guise of feeding hungry children to bankroll lavish lifestyles and extravagant expenses is reprehensible. I’m grateful that Aimee Bock and every individual involved in this abhorrent scheme are being held accountable for defrauding taxpayers and betraying vulnerable children.”
Bock was convicted of the scheme and awaits sentencing.
Omar responded under “mounting pressure to explain her knowledge of and connections to the scandal that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars,” the report said.
The Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee asked Omar to testify but she declined to respond. Democrats blocked an attempt to subpoena her.
Days ago, a Minnesota legislative committee released a report accusing Gov. Tim Walz’s administration of fostering a “culture of tolerance” that allowed fraudsters to steal billions in taxpayer dollars overall.
Federal estimates suggest that fraud in social services programs in Minnesota, largely centered around that Somali immigrant community, could total in the billions.
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