Overview
- A Senate Judiciary subcommittee held hearings titled “Somali Scammers: Fighting Fraud in Minnesota and Beyond,” taking testimony from journalist David Hoch, Minnesota Rep. Kristin Robbins, and Public Citizen’s Robert Weissman.
- Loss estimates varied widely and remain disputed, with a former federal prosecutor’s $9 billion figure based on investigative red flags, Hoch asserting totals could exceed $30 billion, and Weissman saying the largest numbers lack evidentiary grounding.
- Robbins urged more federal resources, including additional prosecutors and forensic accountants, and senators discussed tighter documentation and audits for welfare and grant programs, with Sen. Lindsey Graham pressing for stronger identity verification.
- Some Republicans alleged stolen funds were sent overseas and could benefit extremists, but former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said there is no indication defendants were sending money to terrorist organizations, and the Treasury Department is reviewing concerns about outbound cash.
- More than 2,000 federal agents remain deployed in Minnesota as part of President Donald Trump’s fraud crackdown, the probe has broadened to other states such as California, and House Oversight has expanded its investigation with Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison slated to testify in March.