{"id":2531607,"date":"2026-01-08T17:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/luna-refers-walz-and-ellison-to-doj-over-minnesota-fraud\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T17:23:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T22:23:06","slug":"luna-refers-walz-and-ellison-to-doj-over-minnesota-fraud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/luna-refers-walz-and-ellison-to-doj-over-minnesota-fraud\/","title":{"rendered":"Luna refers Walz and Ellison to DOJ over Minnesota fraud"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fluna-refers-walz-and-ellison-to-doj-over-minnesota-fraud%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2531607&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has referred Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to the Department of Justice for criminal examination and possible prosecution, alleging they obstructed federal oversight of a recently exposed fraud scheme. In letters to Attorney General Pam bondi, Luna cited potential violations including conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding and abetting federal offenses; the DOJ has confirmed receipt of the referrals. Luna made the referrals after testimony at a House Oversight Committee hearing into alleged widespread fraud in Minnesota social\u2011services programs tied to nonprofits, child care, and Medicaid, and said federal funds and oversight must be protected. the increased federal investigation and deployment of agents to Minnesota have heightened tensions locally; Gov. Walz urged calm after a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer. Walz recently ended his 2026 reelection campaign amid criticism over his handling of the fraud allegations, and the White House has indicated he may <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-you-need-to-know-about-section-230-and-potential-social-media-reforms\/\" title=\"What You Need To Know About Section 230 And Potential Social Media Reforms\">face potential liability<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Luna refers Walz and Ellison to DOJ for criminal prosecution over Minnesota fraud<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2466312\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/anna-paulina-luna\/\">Anna Paulina Luna<\/a> (R-FL) has sent criminal referrals to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Department of Justice<\/a> concerning Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-walz\/\">Tim Walz<\/a> (D-MN) and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison&rsquo;s alleged involvement in obstructing federal oversight of the state&rsquo;s recently exposed fraud scandal.<\/p>\n<p>In separate letters addressed to Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\/\">Pam Bondi<\/a> on Wednesday, Luna made her case that the two state officials should be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution for violating federal law. One of the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >cited laws criminalizes conspiracies<\/a> to defraud the United States, and another establishes criminal liability for those who aid and abet federal offenses.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4411437\/judge-disqualifies-new-york-us-attorney\/\">Judge disqualifies New York US attorney and tosses subpoenas against Letitia James<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4411482\/aoc-khanna-break-democrats-call-arrest-ice-officer-minnesota\/\">AOC and Khanna lead progressives breaking with Democrats on calls to arrest ICE officer in Minnesota killing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4411259\/trump-seeking-over-6-million-legal-fees-georgia-2020-case\/\">Trump seeking over $6 million in legal fees over Georgia 2020 election interference case<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>On Thursday, the congresswoman announced the DOJ &ldquo;confirmed receipt&rdquo; of the criminal referrals.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The DOJ has confirmed receipt of criminal referrals for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GovTimWalz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@GovTimWalz<\/a> &amp; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AGEllison?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AGEllison<\/a>. I look forward to the findings of the investigation and potential prosecution.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepLuna\/status\/2009318813654016179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> contacted the DOJ for comment.<\/p>\n<p>Luna&rsquo;s requests come amid intensifying federal scrutiny that the DOJ is applying to allegations of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fraud\/\">widespread fraud<\/a> within Minnesota&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-banking-on-3-6-trillion-tax-increases-to-fund-agenda-plans\/\" title=\"Biden Banking On .6 Trillion Tax Increases To Fund Agenda Plans\">social services programs<\/a>. The Florida Republican expressed concern that Walz and Ellison may have ignored &ldquo;clear warning signs of misconduct involving federal funds.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The seriousness of these concerns warrants careful and impartial review,&rdquo; she wrote. &ldquo;Federal funds must be protected, federal oversight must not be obstructed, and no public official is exempt from accountability under the law.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The referrals were made as the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-oversight-committee\/\">House Oversight Committee<\/a> held a hearing on the misuse of federal funds in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a>. Luna, who serves as a member of the GOP-majority committee, appeared confident that actions taken by Walz and Ellison warrant an investigation and possible prosecution.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Based on testimony today, I have enough evidence to believe both <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GovTimWalz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@GovTimWalz<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/keithellison?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@keithellison<\/a> were knowingly complicit in a Somali fraud scheme in Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore I have referred them BOTH to the DOJ for criminal charges. May justice be swift. The American people are tired&hellip; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aEWM89vTj4\">pic.twitter.com\/aEWM89vTj4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RepLuna\/status\/2008987983840477472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The Walz administration is currently dealing with the recent surge of immigration and the deployment of investigative officers to Minnesota. The personnel dispatched by the DOJ and other federal agencies are tasked with investigating alleged fraud tied to nonprofit organizations, as well as child care and Medicaid programs in the state.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4411680\/vance-announces-new-assistant-attorney-general-position-fraud\/\">VANCE ANNOUNCES NEW ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL POSITION TO FOCUS ON FRAUD<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The increased federal presence is stoking tensions <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minneapolis\/\">in Minneapolis<\/a>, where a 37-year-old woman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4411039\/what-to-know-ice-shooting-minneapolis-left-one-woman-dead\/\">was fatally shot<\/a> by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Walz urged local residents to maintain peace in an effort to deter violent protests.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this week, Walz ended his 2026 reelection bid for a third term due to his handling of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/justice-department-announces-1-2-billion-health-care-crackdown-tied-to-telehealth-cardiovascular-tests\/\" title=\"Justice ... Announces .2 Billion Health Care Crackdown Tied to Telehealth, Cardiovascular Tests\">alleged fraud schemes<\/a>. President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> is of the opinion that Walz may be &ldquo;criminally liable&rdquo; in connection with the scandal, White House press secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/karoline-leavitt\/\">Karoline Leavitt<\/a> said after Walz dropped out of the gubernatorial race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Luna refers Walz, Ellison to DOJ over fraud<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2531608,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26007643755650.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546,538],"tags":[67058,13137,18336,69703,27318],"class_list":["post-2531607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","category-washington-examiner","tag-doj-referral","tag-ellison","tag-luna","tag-minnesota-fraud","tag-walz"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26007643755650.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531607"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531607\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2531615,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531607\/revisions\/2531615"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2531608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}