Full Breakdown
Lisa Demuth Demands Dismissals Over Minnesota Fraud Scandal
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Calls for Firings
Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a gubernatorial candidate, announced that two senior state officials should be removed for their handling of a large-scale fraud investigation. She targeted Assistant Education Commissioner Daron Korte and Department of Children, Youth and Families Deputy Commissioner Leah Montgomery, saying they failed to stop or adequately address the “Feeding Our Future” fraud scheme that has cost Minnesota “hundreds of millions of dollars.” Demuth framed the dismissals as the first step in a broader plan to replace agency leadership if she becomes governor.
Background & Context: State Fraud Findings
A recent investigative report in the *Minnesota Star Tribune* detailed how federal auditors uncovered extensive fraud across multiple state social-program databases. The report criticized the Walz administration for not connecting red-flag warnings across programs and for allowing outdated systems to be exploited by “modern criminals.” The investigation traced the problem back to at least 2020, when early warnings about the scheme were allegedly ignored.
Official Statements & Responses
The governor’s office responded that “hindsight is 20/20” and acknowledged that agency systems need modernization. A spokesperson said the administration had already taken steps to improve inter-agency coordination and had proposed legislation to strengthen fraud detection. The office also noted that the pandemic-era surge in emergency funding created unprecedented challenges for fraud prevention.
Criticism & Opposition
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar issued a written statement acknowledging public anger over the fraud but did not address Demuth’s specific calls for dismissals. She emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions rather than individual firings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They should have already been held accountable for this,” — House Speaker Lisa Demuth, families deputy commissioner.
- “Senator Klobuchar has rested on her laurels and has not been aggressive at all,” — House Speaker Lisa Demuth, families deputy commissioner.
- “Of Assistant Commissioner Corte, who was aware of major problems with defeating our Future as far back as 2020 but failed to stop the massive fraud scandal,” — House Speaker Lisa Demuth, families deputy commissioner.
- “I am also calling for the firing in the Department of Children, Youth and Families Deputy Commissioner Leah Montgomery,” — Lisa Demuth.