The FBI is moving in — and fast.
FBI Director Kash Patel says the bureau has surged agents and investigators into Minnesota, ramping up efforts to “dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.”
The move comes as fraud allegations explode across the state and public outrage snowballs.
Patel said the FBI shifted resources into Minnesota even before the latest viral firestorm, pointing directly to the Feeding Our Future scandal — the $250 million COVID food-aid scheme that siphoned money intended for children.
So far, the investigation has produced 78 indictments and 57 convictions, and prosecutors even charged suspects in a separate plot to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash. Patel says the probe is far from over.
The FBI chief didn’t mince words. “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. He added that some individuals are being referred to immigration officials for possible denaturalization and deportation proceedings “where eligible.”
CASE UPDATE: MINNESOTA FRAUD SCHEME
The FBI is aware of recent social media reports in Minnesota. However, even before the public conversation escalated online, the FBI had surged personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 28, 2025
The latest surge comes on the heels of a viral video from independent journalist Nick Shirley, spotlighting Minnesota childcare and learning centers that allegedly raked in millions in government aid while appearing empty, shuttered, or barely functional.
🚨 Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable
We ALL… pic.twitter.com/E3Penx2o7a
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) December 26, 2025
Top Republicans are now turning up the heat. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer blasted Gov. Tim Walz, accusing him of sitting “idly by while billions were stolen from hardworking Minnesotans.”
Watch Emmer’s comments below:
Nick Shirley found more fraud in Minnesota in a matter of HOURS than Tim Walz and Keith Ellison have found in SEVEN YEARS.
How is that possible? Walz and Ellison stopped looking for it. pic.twitter.com/PSghDCQuv4
— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) December 28, 2025
More over at Fox News:
FRAUD CRACKDOWN: FBI Director Kash Patel says the agency has surged resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale federal program fraud, calling a $250M food aid scheme ‘just the tip of a very large iceberg.’ https://t.co/OX5pzE2GM5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 28, 2025
