WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department is closely examining financial transactions between residents and businesses in Minnesota and Somalia as the federal government amplifies its immigration enforcement efforts in the state. During a recent visit to Minnesota, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disclosed that the agency has launched inquiries into four money service businesses widely used by individuals to wire funds abroad for family support, though he refrained from naming these businesses.
Bessent's visit coincided with protests in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, intensifying local tensions regarding immigration policies. President Donald Trump has singled out the Somali community within the state for targeted immigration enforcement, prompting Bessent’s directive to uncover potential fraudulent activities linked to this community. The Treasury noted that recent criminal cases, including a scandal involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, a scheme that allegedly siphoned off $300 million in COVID-19 relief funds, have motivated these investigations.
Gov. Tim Walz expressed his determination to not tolerate fraud, stating that his administration will continue collaboration with federal partners to eradicate fraud and hold offenders accountable. In response to criticisms that earlier signs of the Feeding Our Future fraud were overlooked, Walz conveyed his anger toward the individuals exploiting these public funds.
The founder of Feeding Our Future, Aimee Bock, has been charged with conspiracy and fraud and was convicted earlier this year while maintaining her innocence.
Bessent declined to detail the specific investigations but confirmed meetings with various financial institutions focused on fraud prevention efforts. He also announced key Treasury actions, which involve enhanced scrutiny on money service businesses in Minnesota, and stressed that the Treasury would employ every possible method to combat ‘unchecked fraud’ within the system.
Critics like Nicholas Anthony from the Cato Institute condemned Bessent's measures, claiming they amount to financial surveillance and control over Americans’ ability to send money abroad. Additionally, community leaders reported incidents of federal agents detaining members of the Somali community, which raised concerns among advocacy groups and state officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey.
Bessent assured continued commitment from the Treasury to recover misappropriated funds and investigate fraudulent schemes, maintaining that actions would be aimed at ensuring similar scandals do not occur in the future.
Bessent's visit coincided with protests in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, intensifying local tensions regarding immigration policies. President Donald Trump has singled out the Somali community within the state for targeted immigration enforcement, prompting Bessent’s directive to uncover potential fraudulent activities linked to this community. The Treasury noted that recent criminal cases, including a scandal involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, a scheme that allegedly siphoned off $300 million in COVID-19 relief funds, have motivated these investigations.
Gov. Tim Walz expressed his determination to not tolerate fraud, stating that his administration will continue collaboration with federal partners to eradicate fraud and hold offenders accountable. In response to criticisms that earlier signs of the Feeding Our Future fraud were overlooked, Walz conveyed his anger toward the individuals exploiting these public funds.
The founder of Feeding Our Future, Aimee Bock, has been charged with conspiracy and fraud and was convicted earlier this year while maintaining her innocence.
Bessent declined to detail the specific investigations but confirmed meetings with various financial institutions focused on fraud prevention efforts. He also announced key Treasury actions, which involve enhanced scrutiny on money service businesses in Minnesota, and stressed that the Treasury would employ every possible method to combat ‘unchecked fraud’ within the system.
Critics like Nicholas Anthony from the Cato Institute condemned Bessent's measures, claiming they amount to financial surveillance and control over Americans’ ability to send money abroad. Additionally, community leaders reported incidents of federal agents detaining members of the Somali community, which raised concerns among advocacy groups and state officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey.
Bessent assured continued commitment from the Treasury to recover misappropriated funds and investigate fraudulent schemes, maintaining that actions would be aimed at ensuring similar scandals do not occur in the future.
