Report links Minnesota welfare fraud to terrorist funding CBS19 Somali-based terror group Al-Shabaab. By Elyse Apel | The Center Square Nov 20, 2025 Updated https://share.google/Lni3qouWQseRRDev7 (The Center Square) – New reports allege that millions of taxpayer dollars have been fraudulently stolen from the Minnesota welfare system and then sent to the Somali-based terror group Al-Shabaab.
Chris Rufo? Conservative conspiracy theorist Chris Rufo? Yeah, everyone can just stop there. If it's worth reading, it will be reported by someone without a history of fabrication.
Never heard of Chris. But other sources report similar: Somali terror group al-Shabab ‘taking a cut’ of stolen Minnesota taxpayer money | New York Post https://share.google/wdA1F4NnqB6QHm8al
There is little reporting on this. The weakest part of the story is how much of the funds is really reaching al-Shabab. The reading in the New York Post did not claim a convincing connection, just money sent from Somali individuals sending the money to al-Shabab. No real figures or convincing documentation provided, just some unnamed anonymous source making the claim.
Just like with the FBI previous post, it took time for additional details to emerge. Maybe additional details will emerge in coming days or weeks? it is common for additional details to emerge over time regarding major investigations involving agencies like the FBI, especially when cases are ongoing and sensitive information cannot be released immediately. Updates and more comprehensive facts may surface in the coming days or weeks as investigators continue their work and are then able to share more publicly. The decision to withhold or delay specific information is often due to the active and evolving nature of these inquiries, which can involve complex legal processes, multiple agencies, and efforts to avoid compromising the investigation or violating protocols. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that more credible and detailed information will be released as authorities conclude additional parts of their investigations and are able to share findings without jeopardizing ongoing effort.
And until that time comes (if ever) these kind of stories are best ignored. Filling one’s brain with BS is a disadvantage. There is no upside to paying attention to this kind of stuff until the facts are known.
Journalism is not based on publishing things one hopes are true, but rather on objective reality. It doesn't even matter if their claims turn out to be true or not; the publication does not uphold basic journalism practices. Edit: A simple google search turns up the following on The Center Square: "The Center Square, operated by the Franklin News Foundation (FNN), which has ties to Koch funds and the State Policy Network, has been described as a "far-right propaganda operation". AllSides rates its media bias as "Lean Right" , and it has been criticized for potentially blurring the line between reporting and advocacy" So there you go.
Information warfare is not new. Activism Journalism is a reality. Clear separation between factual reporting and opinion is essential to maintain credibility. So valid concerns and points made in this discussion. Activism journalism risks compromising strict neutrality, but in practice it is often a necessary and valid form of journalism and one that exists. In war reporting or conflict zones, activism journalism may be emphasized and amplified when journalists take sides, sometimes disseminating unverified or partially destorted information. This can align with partisan activism and advocacy interventionism, where the urgency and stakes of the conflict push journalists towards more explicitly biased forms in support of their aligned cause. Such practices risk compromising verification standards but can be motivated by the belief in advancing justice or protecting fundamental rights amid information warfare.
I really like your first paragraph. Regarding the second paragraph, thanks to Dustin I didn't even bother looking at that link. But, thanks for the update. Note: I did do a Google search looking for good source for the story. The slim pickings made the NY Post that Lerner linked was by far the best source that I could find.
Additional information: The HSS (Housing Stabilization Services) program was initially launched to help vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, seniors, and those with mental illnesses or substance use disorders find and maintain housing. However, the program rapidly devolved into a large-scale fraud scheme, leading to dramatic cost overruns and millions in misappropriated funds. The program was estimated to cost $2.6 million in its first year, but actually paid out over $21 million in claims during that period, and in just the first six months of 2025, disbursed a staggering $61 million in claims—far exceeding forecasts. https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/feds-serve-search-warrants-related-to-alleged-housing-stabilization-fraud-scheme/ On Aug. 1, Minnesota's Department of Human Services ended the program after finding that payment to 77 housing-stabilization providers were terminated over "credible allegations of fraud," https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/news/15504/51110 Several federal indictments and investigations have followed, with providers accused of stealing millions and operating out of rundown storefronts. Federal prosecutors have charged multiple individuals and companies for wire fraud and conspiracy, and some have entered guilty pleas for stealing millions by charging Medicaid for unprovided services. https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/2nd-brother-pleads-guilty-in-housing-stabilization-services-fraud-scheme/ By analyzing reimbursement claims and cross-referencing them with beneficiary data, investigators uncovered patterns of inflated or fake billing—such as repeated claims for individuals who were already stably housed or receiving redundant services from multiple providers. https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/09/18_HHS.asp Financial Tracing and Law Enforcement Intelligence Law enforcement traced suspicious wire transfers and cash payments—including cases where funds from HSS fraud were routed through informal money transfer networks (hawalas) and even abroad, with some reportedly ending up with Al-Shabaab-linked networks in Somalia The investigators employed confidential human informants and reviewed bank records and flight transactions to confirm the cash flows from the U.S. to overseas recipients, establishing links back to HSS provider payments. https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/defendants-charged-in-first-wave-of-housing-stabilization-fraud-cases Glenn Kerns, a retired Seattle Police Department detective who spent 14 years on a federal Joint Terrorism Task Force, indicated that certain Somali groups were operating a complex money-moving network, routing cash on commercial flights from Seattle’s airport to hawala brokers in Somalia. According to Kerns, these funds were ultimately funneled to Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization. Multiple law-enforcement sources further informed that members of Minnesota’s Somali community had sent millions of dollars through a network of hawala money traders, with a portion of those funds reaching Al-Shabaab. “We had sources going into the hawalas to send money. I went down to Minnesota and pulled all their records and—well, s---—many of the Somalis sending out money were receiving DHS benefits,” Kerns indicated. ----------- I think some of the money sent was to help families back in Somalia, many migrants from all countries do that. But what investigators also tracing is the sums that went to the terror group. Regardless of senders’ intent, when money reaches Somalia, Al-Shabaab takes a cut of nearly every remittance—meaning fraudulently obtained money in Minnesota ended up materially supporting the group even if some remitters were unaware.
Feds caution Minnesota fraud losses may exceed $9 billion, stressing the enormity of the scheme. https://www.ksat.com/news/national/2025/12/18/prosecutor-says-14-minnesota-programs-are-targeted-for-fraud-and-the-state-is-swamped-with-crime/ At a press briefing on Thursday, federal officials in Minnesota revealed additional charges tied to a fraud case that has drawn nationwide attention. They emphasized that the scale of the problem is far larger than earlier disclosures suggested. "Minnesotans and taxpayers deserve to know the truth of the fraud," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson told reporters at a press conference. "The fraud is not small. It isn't isolated. The magnitude cannot be overstated. What we see in Minnesota is not a handful of bad actors committing crimes. It's staggering industrial-scale fraud. It's swamping Minnesota and calling into question everything we know about our state." Thompson further noted that investigators have flagged 14 separate programs as compromised by fraud, with total losses to taxpayers reaching approximately $18 billion since 2018.
ROME, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Italian prosecutors said on Saturday they had arrested nine people on suspicion of financing Hamas through charities based in Italy, in an operation coordinated by anti-mafia and anti-terrorism units. The suspects are accused of "belonging to and having financed" the Palestinian group, which the European Union designates as a terrorist organisation, prosecutors in the northern Italian city of Genoa said in a statement.
Key source says story that prompted Trump tirade against Somalis is erroneous https://www.startribune.com/city-journal-fraud-story-seattle-detective/601537870
As soon as we accept that MAGA is a demonic, white supremacist cult, we will stop wasting energy trying to reason with them. Yes, there has been fraud by Somalis and non-Somalis involving COVID funds nationwide, which has been under investigation for years at the state and federal levels. At the same time, Nick has engaged in dishonest reporting on this, and he was caught reporting misinformation about the war in Ukraine. MAGA is a hateful, evil group that should be ostracized.
From what is in the news, even liberal, it shows that it’s important to separate verified facts from political rhetoric. The Minnesota fraud story isn’t about any one political group — it’s about serious failures in oversight and accountability that allowed billions in taxpayer dollars to be misused by multiple lines of businesses, not just Covid relive related. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/hhs-freezes-child-care-payments-232300065.html Labeling entire communities or political movements as “evil” or “demonic” doesn't solve the problem. I see in the news reports that the fraud is being investigated thoroughly, regardless of who’s involved, and possible reforms may focus on tightening systems to prevent future abuse. Agree, this problem isn’t limited to Minnesota only — similar fraud cases have surfaced in other states like Illinois, especially in Chicago, where several pandemic-related or social program fraud investigations are still ongoing. That shows this is a national issue of weak systems and oversight, rather than a partisan or ethnic one. Hundreds of public employees — around 400 Illinois government employees have been investigated for improperly taking federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, including many in the Chicago area. A state inspector general report says over 200 of them have been fired or resigned, and more cases have been referred for possible criminal prosecution. Chicago Sun-Times is rated Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that often align with the left. !2/24/2025 https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrhR4sY21Rpbiw4R6BXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1768378392/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fchicago.suntimes.com%2f/RK=2/RS=FkMUpjVF_zvCWKoIxXYi2WiMogQ- In Minnesota, a chunk of money went to fund terrorists groups in Somalia.
New interview with Nick Sherley shows how this Minnesota fraud narrative is being spewed by someone borderline illiterate with a room-temperature IQ. A very cold room mind you.
A large chunk of Nick Shirley's famous video is bogus. (I admit that I couldn't watch the whole video of the Nick Shirley interview. I stopped watching at the point when they started talking about him being a member of the LDS church.) For example, Minneapolis day care targeted in Nick Shirley YouTube video is now closed, state records show https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minneapolis-day-care-quality-learning-center-closed-after-nick-shirley-video/
