Constituent service or compromise? Explosive tape puts AG at center of historic fraud scandal – NaturalNews.com

• Leaked audio from December 2021 captures Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison pledging support to a group that included individuals later convicted in the massive “Feeding Our Future” fraud case.
• In the recording, Ellison offers to call state officials on the group’s behalf and agrees with their complaints of unfair targeting by a state agency.
• The $250 million fraud involved a nonprofit falsely claiming to distribute child nutrition funds; 70 people were federally charged.
• Ellison defends the meeting as routine constituent service, stating he was unaware of any fraud and that the individuals exploited his good faith.
• Republican lawmakers are calling for further investigation, questioning the timing of campaign donations Ellison received from individuals tied to the group shortly after the meeting.

In a revelation that intertwines political access with a historic fraud scandal, leaked audio has surfaced of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison offering assistance to a group of individuals who would later be convicted for their roles in the $250 million “Feeding Our Future” scheme. The recording, from a December 2021 meeting, shows the state’s top law enforcement official vowing to help business owners who complained of racist treatment—individuals who, weeks later, were raided by the FBI. The audio’s release has ignited calls for investigations and raised pointed questions about the line between constituent service and improper influence.

The meeting and the pledge

The nearly hour-long recording, first published in April 2025 by the conservative think tank Center of the American Experiment, captures a meeting in Ellison’s office suite. Attendees, presenting themselves as the “Minnesota Minority Business Association,” expressed frustration with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), which was scrutinizing their meal distribution programs. They argued the scrutiny was racially motivated. In response, Ellison is heard stating, “Of course I’m here to help,” and offering to contact state officials on their behalf. He also agreed with their plan to support politicians who “protect our interests,” saying, “That’s right.” Federal investigators would later allege these meal programs were a front for one of the largest pandemic-related frauds in U.S. history.

A stark contrast in narratives

The content of the audio creates a direct conflict with Ellison’s subsequent public statements. After federal indictments were unsealed in September 2022, Ellison publicly claimed credit for his office’s role in the investigations, stating he had spent “years” working to hold Feeding Our Future accountable. However, in the 2021 tape, he indicated it was the “first time” he was hearing details of the group’s lawsuit against MDE. Furthermore, his office was actively defending MDE in that same lawsuit at the time, without raising allegations of fraud. Ellison’s office has stated the attorney general was unaware of the FBI’s already-ongoing investigation during the meeting and characterizes the encounter as “routine” constituent service that was exploited by “fraudsters.”

Timeline and tangible connections

The chronology of events adds layers of scrutiny:

• August 2021: The FBI investigation begins.
• December 2021: Ellison meets with the group, which included future defendants Ikram Mohamed and Salim Said.
• Nine days post-meeting: Ellison’s campaign committee receives $10,000 in donations from individuals connected to the fraud scheme.
• January 2022: The FBI executes raids, making the massive fraud public.
• September 2022: Federal indictments are issued.

This timeline shows the meeting occurred while federal agents were building their case, and it was swiftly followed by significant campaign contributions from within the group. Republican state lawmakers, like Rep. Harry Niska, are now demanding more transparency, seeking to understand what communications happened within the Attorney General’s office following the meeting.

Broader implications for public trust

This incident transcends a political controversy, touching on enduring questions of integrity and accountability in government. The Feeding Our Future scandal itself exploited a national emergency, diverting funds meant for needy children. The audio of a senior official offering support to its architects—regardless of his claimed intent—risks eroding public confidence in the impartiality of law enforcement and the political process. It highlights the vulnerability of public officials to manipulation by bad actors and underscores the critical need for heightened due diligence, especially when interacting with groups under administrative or legal scrutiny. In an era where deepfakes and misinformation complicate truth-seeking, authentic recordings of real meetings carry immense weight, forcing a confrontation between political reassurances and documented actions.

A lingering question of judgment

While Keith Ellison maintains he acted in good faith, the leaked audio ensures the narrative of his involvement will be contested. The central question for investigators and the public is whether this was a case of a public servant being misled or a demonstration of poor judgment that blurred ethical boundaries. As the legal fallout from the fraud scandal continues with convictions and sentencings, the political and ethical ramifications of this private meeting are now playing out in the court of public opinion, challenging perceptions of how elected officials navigate the complex intersection of advocacy, investigation and political support.

Sources for this article include:

100percentfedup.com

CBSNews.com

KSTP.com