Readers Write: Yet more fraud, public officials’ safety, history

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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The revelation from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Dec. 18 — that up to half of the $18 billion spent on recent social programs may be fraudulent — is not just a scandal; it is a systemic betrayal of every hardworking taxpayer in Minnesota (“‘Staggering amounts’ lost to fraud,” Dec. 19).

This disclosure of industrial-scale theft in the autism and housing stabilization programs proves that the Department of Human Services has effectively functioned as an unguarded bank vault for criminals.

Shireen Gandhi has served as the temporary commissioner since February. Under her watch, DHS continued to pay out money to entities that federal prosecutors now allege were little more than shell companies for fraud tourists. “Temporary” is no longer an excuse for incompetence. If a CEO in the private sector lost this much of their budget to theft, they would be fired before lunch.

I call for the immediate resignation of Gandhi. Furthermore, Gov. Tim Walz must immediately recall the Legislature for a special session. We do not need another internal “working group.” We need subpoena power, forensic audits and a complete freeze on these outflows until we know the money is actually helping vulnerable Minnesotans.

David Saarela, Minnetonka

Judy Matysik, Minneapolis

I could certainly understand how a casual reader of this newspaper might have the opinion that Minnesota fraud might not be quite the large problem that some make it out to be. The front-page article from Dec. 16 (“Trump claims on fraud totals don’t match evidence”) while perhaps technically correct, seems to downplay the fraud. “A review of court records shows the alleged fraud uncovered to date is closer to $218 million, though that number is expected to grow as ongoing state and federal investigations into the state programs continue.” I’ll say it’s expected to grow. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson (who probably has a good idea) recently indicated that he fully expects that fraud might approach $9 billion. He also has mentioned “fraud tourism” with bad actors coming to Minnesota to ply their trade. Jeez Louise! I am not intimating that the authors were untruthful, but it does seem that there was an attempt to downplay the fraud.

A letter writer, also from Dec. 16, seeks to give Walz props for his “thoughtful response to the issue” and for taking a breath and implementing a plan to move forward. I would say that he had time to take quite a few breaths. A little less thoughtful response and a lot more alacrity were probably warranted.

John Chapman, Victoria

Regarding the seemingly unending cavalcade of fraud cases, one question keeps popping into my head (after the burst of steam escapes from my ears), a question that can be expressed as a word: clawback. Granted, some of the money is gone for good (all those swanky beach vacations) but that leaves bank accounts and tangible investments such as homes and cars. Will they be auctioned? What can we, the taxpayers of this state, expect for recovery? Please state as a percentage of the overall theft. Thank you.

Fraud, fraud, fraud is dominating the headlines in Minnesota. Thompson stated in the Star Tribune on Dec. 19 that “Every day we look under a rock and find a new $50 million fraud scheme.” He also said: “The magnitude of the fraud in Minnesota cannot be overstated. Staggering amounts of money have been lost.”

Democrats and independents should admit it’s time to address the elephant in the room: Walz should not be running for a third term. I would like to thank Walz for his strong leadership during the pandemic and for the passage of a tremendous progressive agenda that has benefited thousands of Minnesotans. However, we should learn from the President Joe Biden debacle. There comes a time when it’s appropriate to pass the reins to the next generation of leaders.

Evan Ramstad stated in his Dec. 12 column in the Star Tribune (“Two lies the state cannot afford”) that “I expect outrages-of-the-moment over the fraud schemes will dominate public conversation in Minnesota until next year’s election — and, as a result, other difficult and important matters will be overlooked.”

If the governor continues to run, we will get hammered daily with ads about fraud. Last week driving northwest on Interstate 94 near Dayton, I saw an electronic billboard that said Walz is sending money to fund resorts in Africa (which I believe is totally false). I am very afraid that the focus on fraud will greatly impact down-ballot elections for Minnesota’s House and Senate. This issue has already caused great harm to the Somali community and Minnesota in general.

Let’s support the Walz administration to do whatever is necessary without harming persons with disabilities to clean up the fraud issue so that the next Democratic administration can concentrate on critical issues, such as affordability, health care, the environment and education.

Stevo Larson, Monticello

It was shocking to read how a man has been stalking and harassing south Minneapolis elected officials for almost 10 years and nothing effective has been done by law enforcement or the courts to stop it (“Council member reveals decade of harassment,” Dec. 18). It defies common sense that restraining orders against this man have been vacated as well as an involuntary mental health commitment was stayed despite the well-documented history of threatening words and behavior.

Beside restraining orders, an extreme-risk protection order (ERPO) should also be considered for this man, who is clearly a threat. Let’s not keep making the same mistakes and not take seriously the red flags that are so often present but regrettably overlooked. ERPOs are a process available to county attorneys and law enforcement and can be initiated by family members and mean that guns cannot be purchased by and that guns can be removed from the possession of individuals who are a risk to themselves or others.

Let’s keep our communities safe, and, especially, let’s protect our elected officials who are selflessly working on behalf of our common good.

Lisa Weisman, Minneapolis

In a prayer Rose Johns wrote as a teenager, she says to God, “We are your children too.” Sometimes children have more wisdom than adults. All of our country’s leaders would do well to remember these words. Regardless of race, sexual or gender identity, age or religion, we are all God’s children and equal in God’s eyes.