Congressman Mike Haridopolos Calls for Sweeping Federal Action in Response to Minnesota Fraud Investigation

Haridopolos: This is what the mafia does. They steal, they lie, they cheat

Rep. Mike Haridopolos urges the use of federal powers that took down the mafia.

WASHINGTON, DC – Space Coast U.S. Congressman Rep. Mike Haridopolos is calling for sweeping federal action in response to the expanding Minnesota fraud investigation, urging authorities to treat the alleged scheme as organized crime and deploy the same enforcement powers once used to dismantle the mafia.

Speaking Thursday on Fox News Live, Haridopolos said the scope of the suspected fraud — which prosecutors say could involve billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded child care and social service programs — reflects a coordinated criminal operation rather than isolated abuse.

“This is what the mafia does. They steal, they lie, they cheat,” Haridopolos said. “The federal government has to use the full powers we used to destroy the mafia back in the 1960s. Nothing short of that.”

Federal authorities have since launched an expanded operation in Minnesota aimed at identifying, arresting, and removing individuals accused of defrauding public assistance programs.

The Department of Homeland Security said the effort is focused on protecting taxpayers and restoring integrity to federally funded services.

The investigation has intensified following a reported break-in at a Somali-run daycare, where key documents were stolen overnight.

Authorities are examining whether the burglary is connected to the broader fraud probe involving child care subsidies and other state-administered programs.

As scrutiny grows, the Trump administration has announced plans to temporarily freeze certain federal child care funds until states provide additional verification and oversight. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz criticized the move, accusing the administration of politicizing the issue to justify cutting off aid.

In a post on X, Walz said Minnesota has taken fraud seriously and spent years strengthening enforcement. “It’s a serious issue, but this has been his plan all along — to defund programs that help Minnesotans,” Walz wrote.

Haridopolos rejected that characterization, accusing Minnesota leaders and regulators of failing to act decisively as warning signs emerged. He said the alleged misconduct undermines public trust in social safety net programs designed to serve families and children.

President Donald Trump also weighed in during a New Year’s Eve event at Mar-a-Lago, suggesting the financial losses tied to the Minnesota case could be far greater than current estimates.

“What we’re learning about now is just the beginning,” Trump said, claiming the fraud could reach well beyond initial projections.

The House Oversight Committee is expected to hold multiple hearings in the coming weeks as lawmakers examine the scope of the alleged fraud, Minnesota’s oversight of federal funds, and whether nationwide reforms are needed to prevent similar cases in the future.

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