![\"Minnesota](\"https:\/\/news2.watchtowatch.top\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot_7-1757039419-q80.webp\")
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The\u00a0FBI executed search warrants at eight locations across the Twin Cities<\/strong>, 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\u2019s most vulnerable residents.<\/p>\n Governor Walz, who has been outspoken on the issue of fraud in Minnesota\u2019s social programs, stressed that his administration is working closely with federal authorities.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re going to commit these crimes in Minnesota, you are going to get caught,\u201d Walz said in an interview with WCCO last month.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish we would have gotten a little more out of this legislative session,\u201d Walz noted. \u201cThere are AI tools out there that could help us detect fraud earlier and prevent it from happening in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n Acting U.S. Attorney\u00a0Joe Thompson<\/strong>\u00a0confirmed that Minnesota is facing a\u00a0serious and systemic fraud problem<\/strong>, echoing concerns raised by his predecessor, Andrew Luger. Thompson said the generosity of Minnesota\u2019s safety-net programs can make them a target for abuse.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Housing Stabilization Services program has proven to be extremely vulnerable to fraud,\u201d Thompson said, emphasizing that investigators will continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads.<\/p>\n The targeted locations reportedly included facilities in\u00a0<\/p>\n Walz acknowledged that Minnesota\u2019s long-standing reputation as a\u00a0generous state<\/strong>\u00a0sometimes leaves it open to exploitation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to make sure children get food and families have housing support,\u201d Walz said. \u201cBut good intentions don\u2019t protect us from bad actors. That\u2019s why we need to remain vigilant and ensure that every dollar goes to those who truly need help.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Walz pledged that his administration will continue tightening oversight, investing in modern detection tools, and working with federal agencies to close loopholes.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is about protecting the people who rely on these services,\u201d Walz said. \u201cWe will not tolerate anyone who tries to cheat the system at the expense of vulnerable Minnesotans.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is challenging President Trump to face off in a televised debate \u2014 calling out the White House\u00a0for trying to get involved\u00a0in the heated race.<\/p>\n The dare came after ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on the Queens socialist to debate him five times \u2014 once in each borough \u2014 during a press conference Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s cut out the middle man,\u201d Mamdani told The Post. \u201cWhy should I debate Donald Trump\u2019s puppet when I could debate Donald Trump himself?\u201d<\/p>\n Mamdani, who beat Cuomo in the June Democratic primary, accused Trump of trying to meddle in the election, rehashing claims that the two men had\u00a0talked over the phone\u00a0about the mayoral race.<\/p>\n Sources also said Wednesday that White House officials were mulling possible job offers in the administration for Mayor Eric Adams and GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa in an effort to get them to drop out.<\/p>\n That would arguably give Cuomo, the highest-polling contender after Mamdani, a leg up to beat the far-left lawmaker in the crowded November contest.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Donald Trump is serious about intervening in the mayoral race, he should come to New York City and debate me directly about why he\u2019s cutting SNAP benefits for hungry New Yorkers to give tax breaks to his wealthy donors,\u201d said the DSA candidate.<\/p>\n The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n Cuomo, earlier Thursday, ripped Mamdani for refusing to take part in mic-fights being floated by PIX11 and CBS News.<\/p>\n \u201cNew Yorkers deserve answers. I challenge him to five debates, one in every borough where we speak about the issues in that borough,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n But Cuomo brushed off questions by PIX11 about whether he\u2019d participate in a debate with just Sliwa and Adams.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know my position, and you know Eric Adams\u2019 position, and you know Curtis Sliwa\u2019s position,\u201d Cuomo said.<\/p>\n Mamdani told voters in a video Wednesday that he would not be participating in debates outside of the two scheduled by the city\u2019s Campaign Finance Board for October.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the meantime, I won\u2019t be at this televised circus,\u201d Mamdani said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The\u00a0FBI 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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t