Ramsey Co. judge rebukes remarks made by Gov. Walz on Feeding Our Future investigation
MINNEAPOLIS -- There's a new twist in the largest COVID-19 fraud case in the country.
Feeding our Future is accused of running a scheme that stole $250 million meant to feed hungry kids during the peak of the pandemic. Federal prosecutors charged 48 people earlier this week.
In a recent news conference, Gov. Tim Walz said the Minnesota Department of Education's hands were tied by a court order for it to resume food program payments despite concerns the state had raised. He said the Ramsey County District Judge John Guthmann ordered the education department in April 2021 to resume payments to Feeding our Future, and that the court held the state agency in contempt.
RELATED: Gov. Tim Walz pushes back against food fraud criticism
"The courts forced us to go back and pay it again," Walz said.
On Friday night, the Ramsey County judge delivered a very rare public rebuke, calling the comment inaccurate. He said he never ordered the education department to resume payments to Feeding Our Future.
"As the public court record and Judge Guthmann's orders make plain, Judge Guthmann never issued an order requiring the MN Department of Education to resume food reimbursement payments to FOF," the court's news release said. "The Department of Education voluntarily resumed payments and informed the court that FOF resolved the 'serious deficiencies' that prompted it to suspend payments temporarily. All of the MN Department of Education food reimbursement payments to FOF were made voluntarily, without any court order.
The Minnesota Department of Education responded in a statement, saying in part: "The court made it clear that if MDE were to continue the legal fight to withhold payments, MDE would incur sanctions and legal penalties."
The alleged leader of the fraud scheme, Aimee Bock, pleaded not guilty. She gave up her passport and agreed not to travel and was released from custody.
RELATED: Feeding Our Future head Aimee Bock released from custody
Investigators say Bock and conspirators created an elaborate network across the state that took advantage of COVID rules meant to help kids during the height of the pandemic, and pocketed $250 million to fund lavish lifestyles for themselves.
Prosecutors say they may not be done filing charges in the case.
WCCO will have more coverage on this fraud investigation, so check back for updates.