Investigation Called for After Minnesota Funds Linked to Terrorism

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer from Minnesota is urging an investigation into taxpayer money that allegedly found its way to al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab. According to Emmer, a significant amount—estimated at around $1 billion—was swindled during Governor Tim Walz’s administration.

In a recent letter to Minnesota District Attorney Daniel Rosen, Emmer raised concerns about reports claiming that stolen funds were channeled to Somalia via hawala networks, which are informal money transfer systems often linked to fraudulent activities.

This request follows a report indicating that federal counterterrorism sources have confirmed that stolen funds ended up funding al-Shabab. Emmer highlighted that, in many instances, these scams were possibly perpetrated by members of Minnesota’s substantial Somali community. One unnamed source described Minnesota taxpayers as “the largest funders” of al-Shabab.

“With the lack of action from Governor Walz and his administration regarding these allegations, we urge you, as the new U.S. Attorney, to investigate claims of Minnesota taxpayer money being funneled to the al-Shabaab network in Somalia,” he wrote.

Emmer expressed his alarm over the ongoing situation, mentioning previous concerns he raised about various fraud schemes involving the Feeding our Future initiative, housing assistance programs, and childcare aid since 2020. He pointed out that numerous efforts to seek clarity on these issues had gone unanswered.

He specifically noted that Minnesota holds the largest Somali community in the nation, which is rumored to have sent large sums to Somalia through those hawala networks connected to al-Shabab. This statement came in light of recent criminal charges against six individuals from that community for their involvement in fraudulent activities related to hundreds of millions in payments to housing services.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office highlighted that, on September 18, criminal charges regarding HSS fraud were brought against eight individuals, of whom six were from Minnesota’s Somali community. The U.S. Attorney, Mr. Thompson, pointed out that this type of fraud is particularly egregious because it involves fictitious companies created solely to exploit the system.

“It’s troubling to think that while these individuals are cheating the system, they may also be directing taxpayer funds to terrorists,” Emmer concluded in his letter.