Rep. Emmer to AG Keith Ellison: 'You should go to jail!'

This hearing video captures Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota directly questioning state officials about their handling of alleged fraud in federal programs. The session centers on what Emmer and others characterize as massive mismanagement of taxpayer funds and delayed accountability.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul presents Emmer’s questioning of Attorney General Keith Ellison regarding his alleged connections to individuals later convicted in federal crimes. According to the video, in December 2021, Ellison allegedly met with individuals subsequently charged in the “Feeding Our Future” fraud case—which Emmer describes as the nation’s largest pandemic fraud scheme, involving approximately $250 million. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports that Emmer alleges Ellison told these individuals, “Of course I’m here to help,” during that meeting, with audio available online.

Emmer alleges a timeline inconsistency: Ellison’s office later claimed in a September 2022 press release that they had been “deeply involved” in holding Feeding Our Future accountable for two years—meaning since September 2020. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports Emmer suggesting this contradicts Ellison’s claimed lack of knowledge about the fraud at the December 2021 meeting. According to the video, Emmer also alleges that Ellison criticized the Minnesota Department of Education during that meeting, calling their oversight “despicable,” “racist,” “xenophobic,” and “Islamophobic”—even as the Department’s work was helping expose the fraud scheme.

The video shows Emmer questioning Governor Tim Walz about whether the administration halted funding to programs when fraud concerns emerged. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports Emmer alleging that despite warnings from state auditors and officials across multiple programs (child care assistance, Medicaid, non-emergency medical transportation), the administration continued payments. According to the video, Emmer states the administration only stopped payments after federal intervention, years into the alleged fraud.

FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports that Emmer questions both officials about their awareness of FBI investigations and asks directly whether they were informed of the FBI’s “ongoing investigation” in December 2021. The video shows Ellison declining to provide direct answers.

Emmer also raises allegations about whistleblower retaliation, asserting that employees who raised fraud concerns allegedly faced pushback or removal. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports Emmer claiming that Walz disputed this characterization, stating Minnesota has strong whistleblower protections.

The video concludes with Emmer’s framing of the core issues: what did Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison know about the fraud, and when did they know it? FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reports Emmer suggesting that if the officials do not provide direct, truthful answers, they should be compelled to testify under oath. Emmer further alleges concern that Ellison may have actively obstructed the investigation in exchange for campaign donations—characterizing this as a potential quid pro quo that could warrant loss of his law license and jail time.

In FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Own Words

“You should go to jail.”

“Of course I’m here to help.”

“This is the largest pandemic fraud case in the nation.”