• Facebook
• Twitter
• Threads
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email
• Add Fox News on Google

Nearly 100 Minnesota mayors sound alarm over state fraud scandal

South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis and Crosslake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst discuss the alleged fraud scandal under Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and who should be held accountable on ‘Fox & Friends.’

Two of the nearly 100 Minnesota mayors demanding answers about the state’s unfolding fraud crisis described a climate of relentless uncertainty that has left some constituents "scared" about what lies ahead.

"My community is reaching out to me because they're not getting answers from DHS, from other legislators, and they're scared. There's so much unknown… and, as a mayor, we are the front line. We try to help them," South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis said on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday.

So far, that help has involved putting concerned constituents in contact with county officials to find the answers they seek.

"Those that are receiving those benefits are really scared and frightened of what's next because they don't know," he added.

COMER SUMMONS MINNESOTA OFFICIALS AS HOUSE PROBES MASSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES FRAUD

Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst, left, and South St. Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Jimmy Francis, right. (Fox & Friends)

The scandal dates back to at least 2020 and involves fraudulent billing for a wide range of government services. It largely involves, but is not limited to, the state's Somali community.

Crosslake, Minnesota, Mayor Jackson Purfeerst spearheaded a letter co-signed by nearly 100 mayors to Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials on Monday, expressing deep concerns over the development.

"Fraud, unchecked spending and inconsistent fiscal management in St. Paul have trickled down to our cities. … Our state owes it to our citizens to practice responsible fiscal management and to stop taxing our families, seniors and businesses out of Minnesota," the letter reads in part.

Purfeerst said the number of mayors signing on to the letter is growing and stressed the extent of the crisis afflicting Minnesotans.

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DEMANDS MINNESOTA FIX SNAP BENEFITS FOR 4 COUNTIES IMMEDIATELY UNDER PILOT PROGRAM

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sits for an interview with Star Tribune journalists in his office at the State Capitol in St. Paul on Dec. 12, 2024. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

"If we do the quick math, $9 billion in fraud divided by 5.79 million Minnesotans comes out to roughly be 1,500 bucks a person that each hardworking Minnesotan has had stolen from them," he said.

Walz, who is runningfor a third term, took accountability in recent remarks to reporters.

"This is on my watch. I am accountable for this. And more importantly, I am the one that will fix it," he said.

But Walz questioned whether federal prosecutors' accusations that the fraud could have totaled in the billions were politically motivated.

"You should be equally outraged about $1 or whatever that number is, but they're using that number without the proof behind it," Walz said. "But to extrapolate what that number is for sensationalism, or to make statements about it, it doesn't really help us."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

• ·《方舟》开发者大力称赞虚幻5.7：性能提升的“灵丹妙药”
• ·2017九球双打世界杯录像 中华台北vs美国九球半决赛视频
• ·2017乒乓球澳洲公开赛 西蒙高茨vs吉田雅己比赛视频
• ·萝卜汤的功效与作用及做法
• ·传奇SF装备有偿回收巨增游戏人气
• ·第50届报知电影奖揭晓：吉沢亮、北川景子分获最佳男女主角
• ·归龙潮街机之霸任务怎么完成 街机之霸任务玩法攻略
• ·输广东发布会！邱彪被徐杰打服，认可输6分结果，近期在开会总结
• ·史上最长春节假期将至，Airbnb爱彼迎邀你玩转新西兰户外宝藏
• ·日媒曝中岛裕翔与新木优子热恋 传已开启“楼上楼下”半同居生活
• ·代号妖鬼钟馗技能介绍及阵容推荐
• ·代号妖鬼钟馗技能介绍及阵容推荐
• ·Cựu Tổng thống Clinton xuất hiện nhiều lần trong tài liệu về tội phạm ấu dâm Epstein
• ·种田养鱼？豪宅别墅？在蜀境传说中打造一座个性十足的仙府！
• ·输广东发布会！邱彪被徐杰打服，认可输6分结果，近期在开会总结
• ·2021第三届中国年青马西坞大赛正赛首日精彩回顾