Story perspectives

Two Charged in $3.5M Housing Fraud Amid Crisis

12/21/2025

Summary

Story summary

Anthony Waddell Jefferson and Lester Brown were charged by federal prosecutors in Minnesota with fraudulently obtaining over $3.5 million from the Housing Stabilization Services Program.
The case is part of a Minnesota fraud crisis, with more than 90 individuals charged in related schemes.
The investigation has drawn national attention as U.S. President Donald Trump criticizes the state's fraud handling and links it to the Somali community.

History

Historical Context

In 2020, the U.S. Congress allocated $2.2 trillion for COVID-19 relief, including housing assistance programs like Minnesota's Housing Stabilization Services. However, recent fraud charges against Anthony Waddell Jefferson and Lester Brown, involving over 90 individuals, highlight systemic issues within federal assistance programs, raising concerns about accountability and the impact on marginalized communities, particularly the Somali population.

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Story summary

Anthony Waddell Jefferson and Lester Brown were charged by federal prosecutors in Minnesota with fraudulently obtaining over $3.5 million from the Housing Stabilization Services Program.
The case is part of a Minnesota fraud crisis, with more than 90 individuals charged in related schemes.
The investigation has drawn national attention as U.S. President Donald Trump criticizes the state's fraud handling and links it to the Somali community.

1 / 2