GOP senator pushes to create anti-fraud special inspector general after Minnesota fraud revelations

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Sen.Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is introducing legislation to create a special inspector general to investigate federal program fraud across the country after revelations about rampant abuseThe legislation would allow the inspector general to conduct audits and investigations as well as general oversight over federally funded child assistance programs throughout the U.S.The official would also submit quarterly reports to Congress and refer any criminal activity to the Justice Department.

“After billions of dollars have been lost tofraud in Minnesota,American taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability to ensure their hard-earned tax dollars are not lining the pockets of bad actors,�

Hawley says the official will operate as a “federal watchdog” to “track every penny” of taxpayer funding that goes to child assistance programs.

VP VANCE SAYS TIM WALZ SHOULD RESIGN’ OVER MASSIVE MINNESOTA WELFARE FRAUD SCANDAL INVESTIGATION

Sen.Josh Hawley is pushing to create a special inspector general dedicated to tracking down federal child assistance fraud.

The legislation comes as a battle rages in Minnesota over alleged fraud in theSomali immigrant communityand subsequent immigration enforcement operations.

Investigators speculate the fraud could exceed $1 billion and rise as high as $9 billion.

The fraud has resulted in dozens of indictments and convictions, and it forced Minnesota Gov.Tim Walzto abandon his ambitions of seeking a third term.

MINNESOTA FRAUD HEARING SPARKS IMMIGRATION CLASH AS GOP LAWMAKER SPOTLIGHTS SOMALI WELFARE DATA

Minnesota Gov.Tim Walz abandoned his run for a third term after revelations about fraud in Minnesota.(Reuters/Tim Evans)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessentannounced cash paymentsfor fraud whistleblowers in Minnesota last week.

“We know that these rats will turn on each other,�

“We are going to offer whistleblower payments to anyone who wants to tell us the who, what, when, where and how this fraud has been done.I think that that will give us a great leap forward on how to get it done,” he added.

Law enforcement at ICE protest in Minneapolis

Minnesota has become a battleground over fraud and illegal immigration.(John Locher/AP Photo)

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The Trump administration has alreadyfrozen multiple federal fundingstreamsto Minnesota, including from the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services.

Minnesota Republicans have argued thatstate leadersignored warning signs for years, while some Democrats, including Walz, have tried to dismiss federal actions as political attacks and downplayed fraud estimates.

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