Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has downplayed the state’s $250 million fraud incident, labeling it as mere “political theater,” even after receiving a $10,000 donation from someone who was later convicted of fraud.
He expressed his frustration with Republican accusations against his office, asserting that the legal efforts surrounding the case are being misused for political gain.
“We are committed to holding accountable those who steal resources meant for the impoverished. This is a real issue,” he mentioned in a CNN interview.
Ellison criticized the lack of collaboration, lamenting that the interactions he’s had recently, particularly with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, seem more like a show than a serious partnership.
He drew parallels between the current scrutiny Minnesota is experiencing and the backlash that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced following the Benghazi incident in 2012.
“Remember Benghazi? The endless talking by Republicans in both the Senate and House about how enormous that scandal was, and their outrage directed at Secretary Clinton,” he commented to CNN analyst Laura Coates.
He added, “When you ask what came of that investigation, the answer was simply that they managed to lower her polling numbers. I see this situation as quite similar.”
Ellison is facing mounting pressure to handle the fraud case appropriately, especially after it came to light that he had received significant campaign funds from individuals eventually convicted of participating in the scheme that embezzled $250 million from a federal program created to support hungry children during the pandemic.
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According to the conservative organization American Experiment Center, Ellison was documented during a campaign event with Salim Said, who was convicted on multiple charges tied to the fraud, and Ikram Mohamed, a suspected accomplice.
Days after Ellison met with the alleged fraudsters, Mohamed’s brother, Gandy Mohamed, contributed $2,500—the maximum allowable individual donation.
On the same day Gundy made his contribution, Ellison’s campaign accepted three other $2,500 donations linked to the organization “Feeding Our Future.”
Brian Evans, a spokesperson for Ellison, clarified earlier that the attorney general had no way of knowing that these individuals were linked to an ongoing FBI investigation when the donations were made.
