Minnesota fraud: Feds executed 17 search warrants, 4 arrested
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Federal officials make announcement on fraud [FULL]
Several Trump administration officials spoke Friday on how they are combatting fraud. This came after Vice President JD Vance canceled his visit to Minnesota to discuss fraud.
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (FOX 9) - Several Trump administration officials spoke about the efforts they have made against fraud in Minnesota after Vice President JD Vance canceled his appearance.
Federal officials on combatting fraud in MN
What we know:
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, FBI Director Kash Patel, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson spoke in St. Cloud Friday.
In the press conference, Bessent announced initiatives to bring "accountability" to Minnesota, including alerting financial institutions to risks of certain cross-border payments and an effort to stop exploiting charities and nonprofits.
Vance was initially scheduled to speak in St. Cloud on Friday. However, he canceled his appearance on Thursday evening and the announcement moved forward with other senior Trump administration officials.
White House officials have not said why Vance's visit was canceled. President Donald Trump also canceled scheduled appearances in Kansas and Iowa this weekend.
Federal raids at Minnesota businesses
Medicaid fraud investigation: Agents raid 2 Minnesota autism centers
Federal and state authorities raided two Twin Cities autism service providers Thursday as part of fraud investigations, officials say. Ellison’s office identified the businesses as Iska Inc. in St. Louis Park and Bright Horizon Therapy Center in Edina. Both are autism service providers and are under investigation for suspected fraud, the office said. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has the latest.
What they're saying:
FBI Director Kash Patel announced during the press conference that the FBI and other law enforcement partners executed 17 search warrants Thursday to combine into a 26-count indictment.
Patel said three of the search warrants were at a child care center, and two were at the residences of the owners of those centers.
Patel says four people were arrested during those search warrants, with all allegedly committing millions of dollars in fraud.
Dig deeper:
Among the businesses searched Thursday were two autism service providers in the Twin Cities metro, including Iska Inc. in St. Louis Park and Bright Horizon Therapy Center in Edina.
Federal officials described the searches as "court-authorized investigative activity" but did not provide additional details about the investigations.
The agencies involved include the FBI, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS criminal investigators, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The Source: This story uses previous FOX 9 reporting and information from the U.S. Treasury Department.