Investigation into Minnesota Social Services Fraud Expanded

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who leads the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is broadening his inquiry into possible fraud involving social services in Minnesota, as noted in a recent press release.

In a letter to Minnesota State Assembly Auditor Judy Randall, Comer requested staff-level briefings along with all documents and communications tied to any reviews conducted by the Minnesota Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) related to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the state itself.

Earlier this month, the state’s Legislative Audit Office issued a report on the performance audit of grants managed by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Behavioral Health for the period from July 1, 2022, to 2024.

The report concluded that “the Office of Behavioral Health did not comply with most of the requirements we tested and did not have adequate internal controls over grant funds.”

Comer also reached out to Shireen Gandhi, the interim director of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, asking her to testify in an interview scheduled for January 30, 2026. The letter emphasized that she could face coercive measures if she does not voluntarily attend the interview.

This investigation began last month after independent journalist Nick Shirley released a viral report addressing the suspected fraud occurring in the state. According to a press release from the Congressional committee, “Criminals in Minnesota stole an estimated $9 billion in taxpayer funds intended to feed children, support children with autism, house low-income and disabled Americans, and provide health care to vulnerable Medicaid recipients.”