Steve Hilton, a candidate for governor in California, is raising alarms about the scale of fraud in the state, claiming it far surpasses what has come to light in Minnesota. Hilton’s alert came during a discussion on Fox News, where he highlighted issues within California’s financial oversight. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli pointed out that California has already acknowledged using $50 million in taxpayer funds for illegal immigrants and warned of ongoing investigations into high-speed rail and state healthcare spending.
Hilton criticized a lack of accountability in California, attributing this to years of control by the Democratic Party. “There’s been no oversight, there’s been no checks or balances on the power. It’s now here,” he asserted. His remarks echo a broader concern about government spending and management, especially in welfare programs.
Congress is currently focusing on Minnesota’s welfare system, led by a probe into large-scale fraud cases that threaten to eclipse $1 billion. During the segment, Bill Hemmer mentioned escalating scrutiny over Minnesota’s handling of public funds, comparing it to California’s situation. Hilton responded by launching a tip line at califraud.com, which encourages civil servants to report instances of fraud. “Whatever we’re seeing in Minnesota is a thousand times worse than California because of many more years of one-party rule by the Democrats,” he claimed.
He underscored California’s ongoing problems, stating that the state spent $20 billion during the pandemic on fraudulent claims, citing cases where benefits were mistakenly distributed to individuals on death row and to criminal organizations. Hilton also referenced a staggering $24 billion in homelessness spending that he argues has lined the pockets of connected nonprofits and cronies, rather than addressing the issue effectively. He anticipates a further $13 billion expenditure on free healthcare for illegal immigrants next year, bringing known fraud and improper spending to an alarming $57 billion.
Hilton emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in government through his initiative. He argued that in Minnesota, dedicated civil servants faced harassment for trying to expose fraud. He called upon California workers to speak out anonymously about any misconduct they might witness in order to safeguard taxpayer dollars. “We mustn’t let that happen here,” he stated.
The emerging details from Minnesota further amplify concerns. Reports detail a $250 million fraud scheme tied to the Somali community, with funds that were originally designated to feed children during the pandemic being misused. The situation escalated claims of a cover-up under Minnesota’s current governor, who has faced accusations of silencing whistleblowers while shielding those involved in these schemes.
Overall, Hilton’s warnings highlight a dual narrative of corruption and inefficiency that he believes plagues both California and Minnesota. His focus on initiating change from within and holding government accountable resonates as a pressing need amid ongoing fraud investigations.
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