• Facebook
• Twitter
• Threads
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email
• Add Fox News on Google

Nearly 100 Minnesota mayors sound alarm over state fraud scandal

South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis and Crosslake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst discuss the alleged fraud scandal under Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and who should be held accountable on ‘Fox & Friends.’

Two of the nearly 100 Minnesota mayors demanding answers about the state’s unfolding fraud crisis described a climate of relentless uncertainty that has left some constituents "scared" about what lies ahead.

"My community is reaching out to me because they're not getting answers from DHS, from other legislators, and they're scared. There's so much unknown… and, as a mayor, we are the front line. We try to help them," South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis said on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday.

So far, that help has involved putting concerned constituents in contact with county officials to find the answers they seek.

"Those that are receiving those benefits are really scared and frightened of what's next because they don't know," he added.

COMER SUMMONS MINNESOTA OFFICIALS AS HOUSE PROBES MASSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES FRAUD

Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst, left, and South St. Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Jimmy Francis, right. (Fox & Friends)

The scandal dates back to at least 2020 and involves fraudulent billing for a wide range of government services. It largely involves, but is not limited to, the state's Somali community.

Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst spearheaded a letter co-signed by nearly 100 mayors to Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials on Monday, expressing deep concerns over the development.

"Fraud, unchecked spending and inconsistent fiscal management in St. Paul have trickled down to our cities. … Our state owes it to our citizens to practice responsible fiscal management and to stop taxing our families, seniors and businesses out of Minnesota," the letter reads in part.

Purfeerst said the number of mayors signing on to the letter is growing and stressed the extent of the crisis afflicting Minnesotans.

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DEMANDS MINNESOTA FIX SNAP BENEFITS FOR 4 COUNTIES IMMEDIATELY UNDER PILOT PROGRAM

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sits for an interview with Star Tribune journalists in his office at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Dec. 12, 2024. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

"If we do the quick math, $9 billion in fraud divided by 5.79 million Minnesotans comes out to roughly be 1,500 bucks a person that each hardworking Minnesotan has had stolen from them," he said.

Walz, who is runningfor a third term, took accountability in recent remarks to reporters.

"This is on my watch. I am accountable for this. And more importantly, I am the one that will fix it," he said.

But Walz questioned whether federal prosecutors' accusations that the fraud could have totaled in the billions were politically motivated.

"You should be equally outraged about $1 or whatever that number is, but they're using that number without the proof behind it," Walz said. "But to extrapolate what that number is for sensationalism, or to make statements about it, it doesn't really help us."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

• ·上海交大提出全光大规模智能生成芯片
• ·盒马总部IP地址被山姆APP屏蔽？员工发文怀疑
• ·暑期体验式参观有机淮南国新项目：参与垃圾分类，共筑绿色家园
• ·cad快速看图长度怎么看
• ·Phạt nam shipper 30 triệu do vi phạm về an toàn giao thông
• ·科尔：与追梦争执我有很大责任 队内不会对他有处罚
• ·HCLTech将收购HPE旗下电信解决方案业务
• ·2017中国汽车场地拉力锦标赛 贵阳站场地拉力赛全场视频
• ·初二状物作文：车前草 3
• ·记者卧底论文“工厂”：有人称非关系稿期刊不会录用
• ·F1车手市场混乱 奥康被意外伤及
• ·用指尖“看见”世界 盲文版地图如何实现“一触了然”
• ·嗨播直播助手安装使用方法
• ·关于人生哲学的论文范文
• ·室内设计专业学习规划论文
• ·จนท.ช่วยเหลือ"หมี 3 ตัว