• Facebook
• Twitter
• Threads
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email
• Add Fox News on Google

Nearly 100 Minnesota mayors sound alarm over state fraud scandal

South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis and Crosslake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst discuss the alleged fraud scandal under Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and who should be held accountable on ‘Fox & Friends.’

Two of the nearly 100 Minnesota mayors demanding answers about the state’s unfolding fraud crisis described a climate of relentless uncertainty that has left some constituents "scared" about what lies ahead.

"My community is reaching out to me because they're not getting answers from DHS, from other legislators, and they're scared. There's so much unknown… and, as a mayor, we are the front line. We try to help them," South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis said on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday.

So far, that help has involved putting concerned constituents in contact with county officials to find the answers they seek.

"Those that are receiving those benefits are really scared and frightened of what's next because they don't know," he added.

COMER SUMMONS MINNESOTA OFFICIALS AS HOUSE PROBES MASSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES FRAUD

Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst, left, and South St. Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Jimmy Francis, right. (Fox & Friends)

The scandal dates back to at least 2020 and involves fraudulent billing for a wide range of government services. It largely involves, but is not limited to, the state's Somali community.

Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst spearheaded a letter co-signed by nearly 100 mayors to Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials on Monday, expressing deep concerns over the development.

"Fraud, unchecked spending and inconsistent fiscal management in St. Paul have trickled down to our cities. … Our state owes it to our citizens to practice responsible fiscal management and to stop taxing our families, seniors and businesses out of Minnesota," the letter reads in part.

Purfeerst said the number of mayors signing on to the letter is growing and stressed the extent of the crisis afflicting Minnesotans.

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DEMANDS MINNESOTA FIX SNAP BENEFITS FOR 4 COUNTIES IMMEDIATELY UNDER PILOT PROGRAM

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sits for an interview with Star Tribune journalists in his office at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Dec. 12, 2024. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

"If we do the quick math, $9 billion in fraud divided by 5.79 million Minnesotans comes out to roughly be 1,500 bucks a person that each hardworking Minnesotan has had stolen from them," he said.

Walz, who is runningfor a third term, took accountability in recent remarks to reporters.

"This is on my watch. I am accountable for this. And more importantly, I am the one that will fix it," he said.

But Walz questioned whether federal prosecutors' accusations that the fraud could have totaled in the billions were politically motivated.

"You should be equally outraged about $1 or whatever that number is, but they're using that number without the proof behind it," Walz said. "But to extrapolate what that number is for sensationalism, or to make statements about it, it doesn't really help us."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

• ·iPhone15价格跳水后销量霸榜前三 00后作用显著
• ·人教版七年级上册六单元作文：人类起源神话的魅力
• ·苹果用户必看：非国区Apple ID注册指南，开启你iPhone的全新世界
• ·保拉纳啤酒厂成为奥迪F1车队官方供应商
• ·美图秀秀怎么修图和加水印
• ·bilibili游戏与505Games达成合作联合发行国产类魂佳作《明末：渊虚之羽》
• ·代号妖鬼龟龟流阵容推荐攻略
• ·เลือกตั้ง 69: กกต. เคาะวันเลือกตั้ง สส. 8 ก.พ. ไม่พูดถึง "ประชามติ" ในปฏิทิน
• ·王者荣耀新英雄影什么时候上线 上线时间一览
• ·黟县碧山村：文创赋能，千年古村“潮”起来
• ·粤能垃圾分类箱，快速解决居民手机危机
• ·六年级数学天天练试题及答案2023.11.30（应用题）
• ·谈起玩家的游戏体验首推新开传奇网站
• ·日本32岁女子和AI伴侣结婚 还是AI建议和前任离的婚
• ·绿色行动：11类场所生活垃圾分类工作指引
• ·山西西山煤电集团西曲矿