Dr. Scott Jensen, a candidate for the Minnesota governorship, has sharply criticized Gov. Tim Walz amid a burgeoning welfare fraud scandal in Minneapolis, estimated to cost the state $1 billion. Jensen’s remarks to Fox News Digital underscore his belief in Walz’s direct involvement and a potential cover-up he likened to “Watergate.”
The scandal centers on Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit accused of swindling federal funds intended for child-nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This controversy has fueled heated discussions in the gubernatorial race, with Jensen asserting, “The buck has to stop somewhere… it stops at the governor’s desk.” He argues that as the state’s leader, Walz has failed in his responsibilities, claiming he has “corrupted common sense.”
Central to Jensen’s argument is a timeline suggesting that Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education were aware of the Feeding Our Future fraud long before they acknowledged the issue publicly. “Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education knew in 2020 that there was a problem,” Jensen stated, asserting that the delay in involving the FBI—the agency was only contacted in 2021—indicates a lack of transparency and responsiveness.
This narrative of mismanagement is bolstered by specific incidents, including Walz’s attempts to deflect blame onto a district court judge, which prompted further scrutiny of his credibility. Jensen recalls Walz’s claim that the judge compelled the continued disbursement of funds, a narrative quickly countered by the judge’s public rebuttal. “When Judge Guthman did that, then you saw Tim Walz and Keith Ellison try for someone else they could blame,” Jensen noted, emphasizing the pattern of deflection he perceives within Walz’s administration.
With the investigation extending into federal oversight, concerns have escalated. The Small Business Administration is investigating connections among various Somali organizations tied to the fraud, highlighting systemic failures in auditing. House Oversight Chairman James Comer has pointed fingers at Walz’s negligence, claiming it enabled criminals, including Somali terrorists, to exploit the system. Jensen warns that this scandal may reveal darker aspects than mere mismanagement, raising the specter of a “pay-to-play scheme” involving public officials.
In a retrospective on Walz’s legacy, Jensen confidently states, “Tim Walz’s legacy right now would be fraud at an unprecedented level.” He critiques Walz’s shift from moderate to a staunch leftist, suggesting that his alignment with figures like AOC and Bernie Sanders has tarnished his reputation among many Minnesotans.
As this welfare scandal unfolds, the implications could extend well beyond a simple political contest. Jensen’s comments draw attention to a significant issue of accountability that could pose far-reaching consequences for Minnesota’s leadership and governance.
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