The FBI executed search warrants at eight locations across the Twin Cities, targeting five service providers accused of billing Medicaid for services that were either not provided or grossly misrepresented. Authorities say the alleged schemes exploited a program meant to protect some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Governor Walz, who has been outspoken on the issue of fraud in Minnesota’s social programs, stressed that his administration is working closely with federal authorities.
“If you’re going to commit these crimes in Minnesota, you are going to get caught,” Walz said in an interview with WCCO last month.
He added that new oversight mechanisms have been implemented, including the appointment of a new Inspector General and updated tools to detect Medicaid abuse. However, he admitted that the state still needs more advanced resources to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
“I wish we would have gotten a little more out of this legislative session,” Walz noted. “There are AI tools out there that could help us detect fraud earlier and prevent it from happening in the first place.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson confirmed that Minnesota is facing a serious and systemic fraud problem, echoing concerns raised by his predecessor, Andrew Luger. Thompson said the generosity of Minnesota’s safety-net programs can make them a target for abuse.
“The Housing Stabilization Services program has proven to be extremely vulnerable to fraud,” Thompson said, emphasizing that investigators will continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads.
The targeted locations reportedly included facilities in
St. Paul and Roseville, as well as other sites in the Twin Cities metro area. Officials have not yet named the providers under investigation, but court filings indicate a pattern of fraudulent billing practices that could have siphoned off millions in taxpayer dollars.
Walz acknowledged that Minnesota’s long-standing reputation as a generous state sometimes leaves it open to exploitation.
“We want to make sure children get food and families have housing support,” Walz said. “But good intentions don’t protect us from bad actors. That’s why we need to remain vigilant and ensure that every dollar goes to those who truly need help.”
The FBI has not announced any arrests yet, but sources familiar with the investigation say indictments could follow as prosecutors review the evidence gathered during the raids. If the fraud allegations are proven, those involved could face significant federal charges, including wire fraud and Medicaid fraud, both of which carry steep penalties.
Meanwhile, Walz pledged that his administration will continue tightening oversight, investing in modern detection tools, and working with federal agencies to close loopholes.
“This is about protecting the people who rely on these services,” Walz said. “We will not tolerate anyone who tries to cheat the system at the expense of vulnerable Minnesotans.”
Joe Rogan didn’t hold back when discussing California Governor Gavin Newsom’s rumored presidential ambitions, saying the Democratic leader has no business running for the White House after what he called a disastrous record governing his state.
Speaking on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan said, “You can’t ruin a city and then a state and then say, ‘Guys, that was just practice. When I get elected President, I’ll fix it all.’”
His remarks, which drew widespread attention online, echoed frustrations many Californians have voiced over homelessness, rising crime, and the state’s high cost of living.
The comments came during a discussion about the state of American politics and whether Democratic leadership at the state level had produced results worthy of national office.
Rogan’s blunt criticism resonated with many conservatives who view California as an example of failed progressive governance.
Fox News reported that Rogan, who left California for Texas in 2020, has repeatedly cited the state’s high taxes and increasing crime as key reasons for his move. He told listeners, “California used to be the place everyone wanted to go. Now, everyone’s leaving.”
Rogan said that under Newsom’s leadership, major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have suffered record homelessness, declining public safety, and worsening drug problems.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Rogan added. “They’ve got every resource imaginable, but the leadership is clueless.”
The Hill noted that Newsom’s name continues to circulate in Democratic circles as a potential 2028 presidential contender, especially as President Trump seeks reelection.
Newsom has denied he’s planning a run but has kept a national profile through appearances on cable news and foreign visits.
Rogan dismissed those efforts, calling them “image management.” He argued that voters should judge results, not speeches. “You can’t just go around the country telling people you’ll fix what you couldn’t fix at home,” he said.
Critics of Newsom point to the state’s population loss in recent years as a sign of deeper problems.
Census data shows California lost more than half a million residents between 2020 and 2023, with many citing affordability and safety as reasons for leaving.
The Daily Wire reported that business owners have also fled California due to regulatory burdens and rising crime.
Elon Musk, who moved Tesla’s headquarters to Texas, called the state’s policies “hostile to innovation.”
Rogan used that example during his podcast, saying that when a state drives out its most successful people, “you’ve got to stop and ask who’s in charge and why it’s failing.”
Supporters of Newsom argue that California remains the fifth-largest economy in the world and continues to lead in technology and green energy.
Still, even some Democrats acknowledge challenges with housing and crime that have plagued his tenure.
Rogan said he doesn’t hate California but believes the leadership has “completely lost touch” with everyday residents.
“They act like they’re saving the planet, but they can’t even keep the streets safe,” he added.