The resurfaced photograph of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz alongside Ayan Abukar, now facing serious federal fraud charges, highlights critical issues surrounding oversight in the state’s nonprofit and refugee sectors. In 2021, Abukar received the Department of Human Services’ “Outstanding Refugee Award” for her supposed contributions to entrepreneurship. Yet, that very year, she was allegedly involved in defrauding pandemic food aid programs out of millions.
Abukar’s scheduled guilty plea on January 24, 2025, pertains to her connection to the audacious “Feeding Our Future” scandal. This scheme reportedly siphoned off a staggering $250 million meant for feeding children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abukar’s nonprofit, Action for East African People (AFEAP), is implicated in stealing at least $5.8 million by falsely claiming to serve thousands of meals that were never delivered. Adding insult to injury, the very state agency that honored her had previously revoked her child care license in 2019 due to providing misleading information.
The image of Gov. Walz with Abukar has ignited fierce criticism. One post denounced the situation harshly: “BREAKING: A photo is resurfacing of disgraced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz giving African migrant and convicted FRAUDSTER Ayan Abukar the ‘Outstanding Refugee Award.’” Such sentiments echo the growing dissatisfaction from those who feel let down by state leadership.
Many are questioning the timing of Abukar’s award, given that it coincided with her fraudulent activities. According to filings from the Justice Department, her organization falsely boasted about serving up to 5,000 children daily. In stark contrast, prosecutors allege that funds were diverted for personal gain, leading to extravagant purchases such as luxury cars and real estate.
“Almost none of this money was used to feed children,” stated FBI Special Agent Travis Wilmer during a testimony in 2023. His words illustrate just how far removed the state’s actions were from their intended purpose. The broader scandal has resulted in charges against at least 72 individuals, with many connected to sensitive political circles. Observers note that state leaders may have overlooked early warning signs regarding pandemic fraud out of fear of racial implications. Policy analyst Bill Glahn highlighted this insight when he remarked, “Walz was absolutely afraid of the race card.”
Compounding these issues, Minnesota’s Department of Education, responsible for overseeing these nutrition programs, received numerous whistleblower alerts that were ignored. Reports from internal audits and whistleblower complaints surfaced suspicious activity long before Abukar was honored, yet the state’s response was lackluster. The scale of misconduct is troubling, with some participants inflating meal counts through fictitious names—names more suitable for a comedy sketch than a serious endeavor, like “Unique Problem” and “Serious Problem.” This blatant misreporting raised red flags that went unaddressed.
Other questionable figures in the scandal, such as Empress Malcolm Watson Jr., appear prominently in court records related to bank activities tied to nonprofits, although he has not faced charges. Additionally, high-profile connections to city council members have emerged, but their specific roles in the scheme remain ambiguous.
It is telling that while Abukar had her child care license revoked due to misconduct, she still received accolades from state officials. The discrepancy raises alarms about the governance and accountability within the Department of Human Services, which celebrated her even while evidence against her was mounting.
The ramifications of this scandal extend well beyond individual accusations. The loss of $250 million in federal funds intended to feed underprivileged children has severely undermined public trust in Minnesota’s oversight of nonprofits. Political fallout is growing, with both state and federal bodies now facing scrutiny for their lack of vigilance, failure to follow up on troubling alerts, and in some cases, efforts to silence those who dared to raise concerns.
As the legal proceedings continue, Abukar’s forthcoming plea will coincide with the sentencing of another key figure, Mukhtar Shariff, set for January 24, 2025. Prosecutors are seeking a lengthy sentence for Shariff, convicted on charges of fraud. His defense, however, is pushing for a far lighter sentence, claiming his reputation as a community builder should be taken into account. This trial and the upcoming one for four defendants—including alleged facilitators from a local restaurant—could further expose the fraudulent web spun around Minnesota’s food assistance programs.
Abukar’s story serves as a stark reminder of the failures in the state’s grant and award systems. Operating multiple businesses under various names, she managed to extract funds from multiple programs without facing adequate scrutiny. Even in the face of a revoked license, she basked in the accolades of her community as a successful refugee entrepreneur while corrupt actions went unchecked.
The photograph of Gov. Walz with Abukar has transformed into a poignant symbol—not of hope, but of institutional negligence. As the Department of Human Services has yet to disavow the award or confront the failures that allowed this celebration to occur, questions linger about accountability. Governor Walz has not yet addressed the resurfacing photo or the implications of these unfolding events, leaving the public to ponder how such oversights could happen under his leadership.
"*" indicates required fields
