Tim Walz and the 'Feeding the Future' Fraud and Failure

Minnesota Governor and new VP pick Tim Walz has come in for an epic beating on this military record, and every syllable of it is justified. But boy howdy, there is just so much more in this guy's record to pick apart that it may take weeks to bring it all to light. But we will — oh, yes, we will!

Here's a great one: On Thursday, a legislative audit of Walz's Minnesota Board of Education revealed that "Feeding the Future," a COVID-era program for schoolkids, presented "opportunities for fraud." And where there's an opportunity...

"Inadequate" oversight of Feeding Our Future and a lack of action by the Minnesota Department of Education "created opportunities for fraud," a legislative audit released Thursday concludes.
Why it matters: The report highlighted several ways in which the Walz administration failed to rein in the fraud, undercutting the governor's longstanding claims that his agency staff deserve credit, not criticism, for their efforts to catch and stop it.
Catch up fast: The U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis has charged 70 people affiliated with the St. Anthony-based nonprofit in what they've called a "brazen" scheme to steal $250 million during the pandemic from government programs meant to feed hungry kids.

Uff da! That's a lot of money stolen from hungry kids.

So, you might ask, how does this tie in the Governor Tim Walz, of the self-proclaimed Rambo-esque combat record?

Between the lines: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Gov. Tim Walz have said a lack of statutory authority and legal fights with the nonprofit prevented the agency from successfully stopping the flow of funds.
Yes, but: Thursday's report listed a series of failures by a department "ill-prepared" to address the issue. The audit found MDE:
"Failed to act on warning signs" related to Feeding Our Future's size and staffing prior to the pandemic.
Did not fully or properly investigate complaints about the nonprofit or its sites.
"Repeatedly approved" the nonprofit's applications to participate in the federal nutrition program, "despite identifying serious concerns" about its ability to administer the fun
What they're saying:"MDE had the authority — and the obligation — to take each of these steps, regardless of any lack of detail in law or [federal] guidance, and regardless of a threat of litigation or negative press," the audit found.

Note the things that the chief executive of the state — that would be Governor Walz — could have taken action on, but didn't.

OK, let's be fair, something we can do, but that is a foreign concept to Democrats: Walz doesn't appear to have taken part in the fraud itself, although he damn sure would have been made aware of everything that was going on; it's inconceivable that a legislative audit, even in deep-blue Minnesota, would have uncovered this mess and not informed the Governor.

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What's more, the Department of Education reports to the governor. The governor is in charge. Tim Walz, he of the extensive military service, of all people should know that in any such screw-up or deliberate malfeasance, the commander's name is always on the blame line. He's in charge. He bears part of the blame.

One might ask: Is this issue an indictment of blue-state governance, or just Tim Walz's executive ability? And I would reply, "Let us embrace the power of 'both.'"

(EDITOR'S NOTE: RedState's efforts to bring Tim Walz's true record to light are made possible by the financial support of our VIP members. Join today using promo code "COMMIEWALZ" for 50% off!)