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Treasury Deploys Ground Investigation into Minnesota Fraud Rings

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, December 12th 2025 at 15:20 GMT by Fox News

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Treasury’s Heat‑Up on Minnesota Fraud: An Inside Look at the New Investigation

In a swift, coordinated effort that has rattled the state’s financial watchdogs and local law‑enforcement agencies alike, the U.S. Treasury Department has begun a “ground‑level” investigation into a sprawling network of fraud schemes that have been quietly draining Minnesota’s federal funds for months. The operation—launched by Treasury enforcement official Michael Bessent, the senior aide in the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI)—has been described by officials as a “high‑stakes, high‑impact” push to root out criminal activity that threatens to undermine federal trust and taxpayer dollars.

Who Is Bessent?

Michael Bessent, who has served as the Treasury’s Enforcement Coordinator for the Midwest since 2019, has built a reputation for “hot‑hand” investigations that combine deep‑dive forensic accounting with real‑world, on‑the‑ground detective work. Under his guidance, the Treasury’s “Fraud Enforcement Program” has taken a more aggressive stance against schemes that exploit federal relief programs. Bessent’s recent announcement—made on the Treasury’s public communications portal—laid out a two‑phase strategy: a rapid‑response assessment phase, followed by a full‑scale investigative sweep across Minnesota.

“Our goal is to get ahead of the fraud before it can evolve into a larger problem,” Bessent told reporters in a brief briefing that was linked in the original article. “We’re not just looking for the obvious cases; we’re looking for the hidden networks that are operating just below the radar.”

The Fraud Landscape in Minnesota

The investigations focus on multiple federal programs, including:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): A federal program that extended unemployment benefits to gig and contract workers during the COVID‑19 shutdown.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Small‑business loans that were expanded in 2020 to support local economies.
• State‑Level Revenue Recovery Initiatives: Minnesota’s own efforts to recover lost tax revenue through accelerated filing programs.

According to the article, the schemes involve a mix of identity theft, fake documentation, and sophisticated money‑laundering techniques. A particularly egregious case involves a group of individuals who forged unemployment benefit claims and then funneled the money through a network of shell companies. Early estimates suggest that the fraud network could have siphoned off $12.5 million from federal funds, a figure that local media outlets have reported as “the largest ever uncovered in the state.”

The article also notes that the fraud is not isolated to one industry. It spans across sectors such as healthcare, food‑service, and construction—areas that were hardest hit by the pandemic and therefore received the most substantial federal assistance. “This isn’t a single‑thread operation; it’s a web of multiple, interlocking schemes that are designed to evade detection,” Bessent emphasized.

Ground Deployment: How the Treasury Is Making It Real

Unlike many high‑profile investigations that rely on remote data analytics, the Treasury’s “ground deployment” is a hands‑on approach that sends teams of investigators and forensic accountants into Minnesota’s major cities and rural counties. The teams collaborate closely with the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MDR) and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office (AG).

In the article, a link to the MDR’s website provided additional context: the department has been working with the Treasury to cross‑check tax filings, uncover discrepancies, and identify patterns that hint at collusion. “The MDR has been a key partner, providing the necessary data feeds and jurisdictional support,” said a spokesperson for the department, citing a joint statement released on the MDR’s website.

Legal Mechanisms and Potential Outcomes

Under the authority granted by 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy to defraud the United States) and § 1341 (fraud in writing), the Treasury can initiate civil forfeiture proceedings against individuals and companies that are found to be complicit. Additionally, the Treasury’s “Fraud Enforcement Program” allows it to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file criminal charges when the evidence warrants it.

Bessent explained that the Treasury’s investigative process follows a rigorous “four‑step model” that begins with data‑driven intelligence, moves through on‑site audits, and culminates in evidence collection for potential prosecution. “We’re preparing a comprehensive dossier that will be shared with the DOJ for any criminal actions,” he told reporters.

The article referenced a DOJ press release that highlighted past successes in similar operations. For example, the DOJ announced the closure of a $3 million fraud ring in Texas in 2023 that exploited the federal COVID‑19 relief program. “This Minnesota case is unprecedented in scale but follows a pattern we’ve seen in other jurisdictions,” the DOJ statement read.

Community Impact and Public Perception

The article included a link to a local news outlet—The Minneapolis Star—which reported on the community’s response. Residents expressed a mix of relief and concern. “It’s reassuring to know that the federal government is taking this seriously,” said a local business owner quoted in the piece. “But it also raises questions about how many more victims we’ve yet to discover.”

Local advocacy groups have urged the Treasury to maintain transparency throughout the investigation. They also called for increased funding for whistleblower programs, which are critical for uncovering such fraud before it reaches the Treasury’s attention. “The more voices we have, the quicker we can intercept these schemes,” an advocacy group’s spokesperson said.

Looking Ahead

The Treasury’s current deployment in Minnesota is only the first phase of a broader strategy that could spill over into other states with similar financial vulnerabilities. The article highlighted that the Treasury plans to share best practices and lessons learned with other federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Small Business Administration (SBA), to improve cross‑agency cooperation.

In a closing statement, Bessent urged patience and cooperation from the public: “Our goal is to rebuild trust and ensure that taxpayer money reaches those who truly need it. We appreciate the community’s vigilance and willingness to come forward with information.” The Treasury’s website link provides an interactive portal where citizens can report suspected fraud or provide tips.

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