Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is also the Democratic nominee for vice president, has been called to appear before a U.S. House of Representatives committee to answer questions about the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal. The Republican-led House Education and the Workforce Committee issued subpoenas to Walz and other leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of Inspector General on Wednesday.

The Feeding Our Future scandal revolves around allegations that the Minnesota-based nonprofit diverted $250 million in federal funds intended for feeding low-income children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee chairwoman Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from New York, made claims against Walz in the cover letter of the subpoena.

While the scandal came to light in early 2022, Governor Walz has consistently denied any delays in investigating the nonprofit. He asserted that his administration promptly detected the fraud and took appropriate action by alerting the authorities. Moreover, Walz claimed that his administration faced legal challenges, threats of jail time, and even a court order mandating the resumption of funding to the nonprofit by the education department.

To address concerns raised by the scandal, Governor Walz proposed a plan to strengthen oversight measures. The plan included the appointment of an inspector general within the education department and an expansion of the Office of Grants Management.

However, in June 2024, the Office of the Legislative Auditor in Minnesota released a report criticizing the education department for insufficient oversight that allowed opportunities for fraud to occur. Following the report's publication, Minnesota Republicans continued to hold Governor Walz accountable for the scandal, emphasizing the need for increased accountability within his administration.

Feeding Our Future, founded in 2017 by Aimee Bock, aimed to provide meals to hungry children in the Twin Cities. Initially receiving just under $3 million in federal funds, the nonprofit witnessed a substantial increase to nearly $200 million by 2021. However, the organization disbanded in February 2022.

Bock and more than 70 others have been charged by the federal government in what U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger labeled as "the largest pandemic fraud in the United States." The defendants allegedly misused the majority of the stolen funds to purchase homes, properties, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and for personal travel expenses. Bock, however, maintains her innocence.

In a separate development, a Minnesota resident pleaded guilty to bribery in June 2024 after a bag containing $120,000 in cash was found at a juror's home during the trial of seven defendants. The juror was dismissed, and five defendants were found guilty, while four others have been implicated in the bribery case.

Governor Walz and the mentioned authorities have until September 18 to provide the necessary documents and information requested by the House Education and the Workforce Committee. The committee's membership includes Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, among others. The hearing will aim to shed further light on the alleged fraud and determine the extent of Governor Walz's involvement.