Lawmakers question Omar’s role in fraud scandal as she skips hearing

By Elyse Apel
The Center Square

Minnesota lawmakers are questioning U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme as investigations and prosecutions continue.

On Tuesday, the state House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee focused in on Omar’s sponsorship of federal legislation in 2020 that expanded access to child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Committee chair Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, said she was frustrated with Omar’s refusal to testify or appear before the committee. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, also a Democrat, also did not appear.

“They are both key players in the child nutrition scandal and fraud – billions of our tax dollars that were stolen – and neither of them came to answer questions about their involvement,” Robbins told The Center Square in an exclusive interview.

Omar’s office ignored multiple inquires from the committee, while Ellison declined to come citing previous testimony he had given.

At the center of Republican concerns is Omar’s MEALS Act, which Republicans say removed key safeguards from the federal program.

“She took the guardrails off so billions of our tax dollars could be stolen,” Robbins said. “It was her particular bill…that got rid of the guardrails in this program.”

During the hearing, Robbins played a 2020 clip of Omar promoting the program to Somali-speaking constituents and praising a Minneapolis restaurant later tied to the fraud.

“I’m very thankful for Safari for being part of those places where food is being given out,” Omar said in the video. “Each day, Safari gives out 2,300 family and kids’ meals.”

Prosecutors later identified the restaurant as a major participant in the Feeding Our Future scheme, which authorities say siphoned more than $250 million from a taxpayer-funded child nutrition program.

Democrats on the panel defended Omar. State Rep. Dave Pinto, DFL-Saint Paul, said her actions during the pandemic were aimed at addressing food insecurity.

“I had the sense from looking at the video that her intention seemed pretty clear, which was to make sure that kids were fed,” Pinto said.

Robbins explained to The Center Square that the committee is ultimately working to establish a clearer insight into the fraud, even though prosecutions are up to law enforcement agencies like the FBI.

“I think it’s really important for Minnesotans to understand the history of this fraud,” she said, “and understand the role that our elected officials like Ilhan Omar and Keith Ellison played.”

The committee is expected to send follow-up letters and continue its investigation, though it only has one hearing remaining this session.

“We’re certainly going to send follow-up letters, and we’ll continue to do research and draw the threads,” Robbins said. “There’s so many unanswered questions.”

The Feeding Our Future case has been described by federal officials as one of the largest pandemic-era fraud schemes in the country. Prosecutors allege a network of individuals and organizations exploited the program to claim reimbursements for meals that were never actually served.

Robbins said she is hopeful the committee is helping shine a light on the “web” of fraud in Minnesota, which she has previously told The Center Square is only the “tip of the iceberg.”

“Minnesotans want accountability, and they want the truth,” she said. “What was your involvement? What did you know?”

Robbins said public frustration is understandable, especially as key figures decline to testify.

“The fact that Representative Omar and Attorney General Ellison would not even come and answer questions…is what has Minnesotans so frustrated,” Robbins added. “They won’t even show up and take responsibility—or at least say why they’re not responsible…for the largest fraud scandal not only in our state, but in the country.”