[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today called on Minnesota House Republican leadership to immediately provide any and all information related to alleged fraud to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Inspector General, warning that withholding whistleblower tips and evidence undermines efforts to protect taxpayers and stop criminal activity.

“This is outrageous,” Governor Walz said. “I expect political attacks in an election year. What is unacceptable is actively withholding information about fraud and blocking investigations in order to advance a political agenda. If there is fraud, it needs to be investigated immediately — not sat on, redirected, or used for political theater.”

According to reporting by KSTP, the Republican-led House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee has allegedly received hundreds of whistleblower tips through its hotline but has not forwarded those tips to state law enforcement at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or to DHS, the agency responsible for stopping fraudulent payments in state programs. Instead, committee leadership has acknowledged keeping that information from DHS investigators and the BCA.

While Governor Walz continues to take concrete, effective steps to root out fraud, including Executive Order 25-01 which requires agencies to share data and suspected cases with law enforcement and oversight partners, House GOP leaders are choosing to withhold information that could stop payments and hold criminals accountable. Through executive action, bipartisan efforts in the Legislature, and collaboration with outside experts, Governor Walz has taken, and continues to take, comprehensive action to identify fraud and protect taxpayer dollars. In contrast, the Republican-led committee has not passed any legislation out of its committee and has offered no concrete solutions to stop fraudulent activity.