Trump administration officials announced a "war on fraud" in Minnesota on Friday, unveiling a $41 million indictment, ongoing investigations, and a $25 million whistleblower incentive program offering rewards up to $30,000 for information leading to fraud convictions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, FBI Director Kash Patel, and other federal officials held the press conference in St. Cloud. Patel stated that FBI Minneapolis executed 17 search warrants Thursday, resulting in arrests of four people accused of over $41 million in fraud across healthcare and childcare facilities. "To any fraudsters who continue or think they will continue to defraud Americans, this FBI will continue to work with our interagency partners, and we will put every last one of you in prison," Patel said.
Officials highlighted recent sentencings in the Feeding our Future case. Salim Said, described as the scheme's "architect," received a 30-year sentence Wednesday for falsely claiming to have furnished thousands of meals. Aimee Bock, the program's founder, received a nearly 42-year sentence in May.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin McDonald announced that federal prosecutors charged five individuals this week in Medicaid fraud schemes totaling over $48 million. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, pointed to the Minnesota Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services program as an example, noting one criminal scheme resulted in over $3.5 million in stolen funds and contributed to a 4,000% surge in program spending.
The Trump administration formed the fraud task force in March, appointing Vice President J.D. Vance as chair. Bessent claimed the administration uncovered over $260 billion in fraud nationwide since January 2025.