WASHINGTON — Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna introduced that she has submitted prison referrals to the U.S. Division of Justice in opposition to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Legal professional Basic Keith Ellison, accusing them of corruption in reference to a large fraud scheme involving federal youngster vitamin funds.
Luna, a member of the Home Oversight Committee, made the announcement in a publish on X, the place she shared a video clip from her look on Fox Enterprise Community’s “Mornings with Maria.”
“Primarily based on testimony and proof, it’s clear that each [Gov. Tim Walz] and [Attorney General Ellison] have been both knowingly complicit in fraud or ran cowl to cover it. Both case is CORRUPTION,” Luna wrote within the publish. “I sit up for CRIMINAL CHARGES from the DOJ.”
The referrals stem from allegations associated to the Feeding Our Future scandal, a scheme by which federal prosecutors have charged greater than 78 people with defrauding over $250 million from applications meant to feed kids in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors say contributors within the nonprofit Feeding Our Future and associated entities submitted false claims for reimbursements, utilizing the cash to purchase luxurious gadgets, actual property and automobiles as a substitute of offering meals.
Throughout a current Home Oversight Committee listening to, state lawmakers testified that Walz and Ellison ignored early warnings of fraud, did not take decisive motion to cease it and silenced whistleblowers inside state businesses. Republicans allege the officers obstructed federal oversight and allowed the fraud to proliferate for political causes.
Luna, in her referrals despatched to Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi, asserted that each officers broke federal regulation and may face prosecution. She stated the Justice Division has confirmed receipt of the paperwork.
Florida U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds additionally expressed help for the referrals throughout a tv look, saying he would again comparable actions by the Home.
The Justice Division is reviewing the case in opposition to Walz and Ellison, although it stays unclear if prices will likely be pursued. Legal referrals can immediate investigations.
Luna’s transfer comes amid heightened partisan tensions over authorities accountability.
