Federal agents raiding Minneapolis businesses in fraud investigation
by Joe Fisher · UPIApril 28 (UPI) -- Federal agents have again descended upon Minneapolis Tuesday, this time to raid businesses as part of an investigation into welfare fraud.
More than 20 search warrants have been executed in Minnesota in relation to the investigation on Tuesday morning, NBC News, CBS News and CNN reported citing unnamed sources. The raids are not part of immigration enforcement.
"Today, the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation, " a Justice Department spokesperson said in a statement.
There have not been any arrests made in the raids.
Ninety-two people have been charged in relation to welfare in Minnesota fraud since 2021.
President Donald Trump has targeted Minnesota's Somali population in his allegations of widespread fraud in the state, echoing claims by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley. In December, Shirley posted videos of him going to Somali-owned daycares and clinics discussing fraud.
Shirley's claims have been debunked.
Minnesota officials have pushed back on the claims of widespread fraud. Gov. Tim Walz testified before a congressional panel on the subject last month. He has called the allegations by Trump "vile, racist lies and slander towards our fellow Minnesotans."
"The task force and the DOJ will be relentless in exposing these fraudsters wherever they may be hiding," Vice President JD Vance posted on social media.
This week in Washington
Britain's King Charles III delivers an address to a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. The king and Queen Camilla are on a four-day state visit to the U.S. with stops in Washington and New York. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo