Sen. Josh Hawley accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of accepting campaign donations tied to a $250 million fraud scheme. Hawley made the allegation while questioning Nick Shirley about suspected fraud across Minnesota Medicaid programs. The exchange drew attention after Hawley linked Shirley’s findings to referrals sent to Ellison’s office.
Video of the hearing circulated online. Hawley asked Shirley what he found while reviewing public records and Minnesota programs.
Shirley said he found alleged fraud across Medicaid services, including non-emergency medical transportation companies. Hawley then asked whether corruption existed within Minnesota’s government.
“It’s not even maybe or possibly,” Shirley said. “It’s a certainty.” Hawley responded by pointing to fraud referrals sent to Ellison’s office in 2018 and 2019.
Hawley accused Ellison of overlooking $250 million in fraud despite those referrals. He also alleged Ellison accepted $10,000 from people he linked to the scheme.
Hawley alleged those individuals asked Ellison to stop state investigators and shut down investigations. He then accused Ellison of lying under oath about the contributions.
“Because they’re getting paid by the fraudsters,” Hawley said. He questioned why prosecutors had not charged Ellison.
Josh Hawley Faces Demands for Action After Minnesota Fraud Hearing
Online responses focused on whether the hearing would produce arrests, prosecutions or further enforcement.
One user wrote, “Then stop it. Defund. Arrest. Do something instead of these hearings which do nothing.” Another asked, “What is congress and yourself going to do about this?????”
A separate response stated, “Politicians know there is rampant fraud and nothing nor anybody will be held accountable. Wasting more of our tax dollars!” Another argued, “All you GOPs have lost ALL CREDIBILITY… do you even understand how much time and effort it will take for the country to trust you again?”
One user added, “Another meeting about things we already know. SOMEONE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE & PUT THEM IN JAIL!” Another questioned, “Why aren’t we seeing more follow up from this? By now we should be seeing daily perp walks!!”
Hawley announced no charges, arrests or new investigation during the exchange.
