Minnesota Governor Tim Walz testifies during the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing investigating fraud in Minnesota state social services, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
(Minneapolis, MN) – A former state trooper is claiming his higher ups tried to pressure him against investigating claims of fraud within the public child care system. Jay Swanson, a previous investigator with the state Department of Human Services, claims it was a well known open secret among the Somali community in East Africa that Minnesota was a hotbed for criminal opportunity.
Republican lawmakers say once Democratic Governor Tim Walz entered office, the entire department dedicated to investigating fraud and waste was eliminated. GOP officials believe this was an act of retaliation. The allegations came to light during a hearing for the state House’s Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee. Walz dropped his bid for reelection after the scandal made national headlines with a video from Youtuber Nick Shirley.
