Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has sent criminal referrals to the Department of Justice concerning Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s alleged involvement in obstructing federal oversight of the state’s recently exposed fraud scandal.
In separate letters addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday, Luna made her case that the two state officials should be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution for violating federal law. One of the cited laws criminalizes conspiracies to defraud the United States, and another establishes criminal liability for those who aid and abet federal offenses.
On Thursday, the congresswoman announced the DOJ “confirmed receipt” of the criminal referrals.
The DOJ has confirmed receipt of criminal referrals for @GovTimWalz & @AGEllison. I look forward to the findings of the investigation and potential prosecution.
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 8, 2026
The Washington Examiner contacted the DOJ for comment.
Luna’s requests come amid intensifying federal scrutiny that the DOJ is applying to allegations of widespread fraud within Minnesota’s social services programs. The Florida Republican expressed concern that Walz and Ellison may have ignored “clear warning signs of misconduct involving federal funds.”
“The seriousness of these concerns warrants careful and impartial review,” she wrote. “Federal funds must be protected, federal oversight must not be obstructed, and no public official is exempt from accountability under the law.”
The referrals were made as the House Oversight Committee held a hearing on the misuse of federal funds in Minnesota. Luna, who serves as a member of the GOP-majority committee, appeared confident that actions taken by Walz and Ellison warrant an investigation and possible prosecution.
Based on testimony today, I have enough evidence to believe both @GovTimWalz and @keithellison were knowingly complicit in a Somali fraud scheme in Minnesota.
Therefore I have referred them BOTH to the DOJ for criminal charges. May justice be swift. The American people are tired… pic.twitter.com/aEWM89vTj4
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 7, 2026
The Walz administration is currently dealing with the recent surge of immigration and the deployment of investigative officers to Minnesota. The personnel dispatched by the DOJ and other federal agencies are tasked with investigating alleged fraud tied to nonprofit organizations, as well as child care and Medicaid programs in the state.
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The increased federal presence is stoking tensions in Minneapolis, where a 37-year-old woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Walz urged local residents to maintain peace in an effort to deter violent protests.
Earlier this week, Walz ended his 2026 reelection bid for a third term due to his handling of the alleged fraud schemes. President Donald Trump is of the opinion that Walz may be “criminally liable” in connection with the scandal, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said after Walz dropped out of the gubernatorial race.