Largest Funder of Al-Shabaab? Investigators Point to Minnesota Taxpayers

Election Day Promise & Conservative Push Starts by recalling Donald Trump’s pledge to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. Mentions a conservative initiative called “Doge” that inspired investigations into state-level corruption. Massive Fraud in Minnesota Accusations that Minnesota taxpayers became the largest funder of Al-Shabaab due to welfare fraud. Fraud allegedly concentrated in programs like Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) and autism therapy services, as well as the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. Housing Stabilization Services Program Launched in 2020 with an estimated cost of $2.6 million. Costs ballooned to $104 million by 2024. U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson called the program “straight up fraudulent,” citing fictitious companies and fake services. Feeding Our Future Scandal Nonprofit founded in 2016 to sponsor child nutrition programs. Funding exploded from $3.4 million in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021. Fraud involved fake meal counts and fabricated invoices; money allegedly spent on luxury items and overseas real estate. Autism Services Fraud Medicaid claims for autism therapy skyrocketed from $3 million in 2018 to $399 million in 2023. Kickbacks paid to parents to enroll children, even without diagnoses. Number of autism providers surged from 41 to 328, many linked to Somali community members. Political & Media Complicity Claims Democratic officials ignored fraud or enabled it. Suggests fear of being labeled racist prevented scrutiny. Notes alleged ties between fraud perpetrators and politicians like Ilhan Omar and local officials. National Security Angle Federal sources reportedly confirm stolen funds were sent to Somalia, benefiting Al-Shabaab. Frames this as a threat to U.S. security and a failure of progressive governance. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.