Law enforcement execute a search warrant at Burnsville Learning Center on April 28, 2026. (KSTP-TV)
Agents served nearly two dozen search warrants Tuesday morning as part of the ongoing federal fraud investigation in Minnesota.
At least 10 day care centers and five autism centers were raided as part of the operation.
Many local, state and federal leaders were quick to react to news of the raids. See the latest comments below.
Gov. Tim Walz
“If you commit fraud in Minnesota you’re going to get caught — and that’s exactly what we saw today. We catch criminals when state and federal agencies share information. Joint investigations work, and securing justice depends on it.
“Today’s raids by state and federal law enforcement happened because our state agencies caught irregular behavior and reported it. That’s how the system is supposed to work, and our agencies will keep at it as long as there are fraudsters around to put behind bars.
“Now let’s work on a joint investigation into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good — instead of cherry picking when we seek justice and when we turn a blind eye.”
Rep. Tom Emmer
“FBI & HSI are raiding over 20 locations in Minnesota in a massive federal fraud investigation, including the ‘Quality Learing Center.’
“REMINDER! @Tim_Walz, this happened on your watch.
“How do you let taxpayer dollars go to a scam education center that’s title isn’t even spelled correctly?”
Rep. Pete Stauber
“Accountability is coming!
“Thank you to the Trump administration for working to stop the rampant fraud that’s occurring in Minnesota!”
Minnesota Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson
“The legacy of Tim Walz is a legacy of fraud. When Walz took office in 2019, reports of massive childcare fraud began exploding across the headlines. Seven years later, Minnesota is still grappling with systemic abuse; not only in childcare, but in housing assistance, support for vulnerable adults, medical transportation, and more.
“Minnesotans deserve better. Instead of results, we’ve seen billions in federal and state dollars funneled into programs plagued by waste, mismanagement, and outright fraud. While the Governor will try to tout a legacy of ‘neighborliness’ in his State of the State address tonight, the truth is that his real legacy will be defined by years of unchecked fraud. Fraud that has cost Minnesota taxpayers billions, embarrassed our state on the national stage, and tarnished our proud heritage of helping those in need.”
Minnesota House GOP leaders
Speaker Lisa Demuth: “I’m thankful that federal law enforcement has stepped in to do what Minnesota Democrats wouldn’t – hold fraudsters accountable and ensure Minnesota’s tax dollars are going to those who actually need them, instead of enriching fraudsters.”
Leader Harry Niska: “Today’s federal law enforcement raids didn’t happen in a vacuum. For years, House Republicans warned that Minnesota’s Democrat leaders were failing to provide the basic oversight needed to stop fraud. After repeated red flags, whistleblower warnings, and explosive growth in program spending, Gov. Walz and AG Ellison had every chance to step in and fix this. They didn’t, and now the federal government is stepping in to clean up the mess. Minnesota taxpayers deserve accountability, and they’re finally starting to see it. That accountability must extend to the leaders who oversaw this historic fraud as well.”
Attorney General Keith Ellison
“This morning, in conjunction with agents from the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, investigators from the Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit executed federal search warrants at five separate sites of Medicaid-funded agencies claiming to provide Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) services. These efforts are yet another example of my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s ongoing collaboration with Federal law enforcement in our shared mission to hold those who defraud Minnesota’s Medicaid program accountable.”
Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi
“We are aware that search warrants are being executed at autism centers this morning. This is an important action for families who rely on autism services and for Minnesota taxpayers fed up – as I am – with criminals taking advantage of the systems we have in place to deliver social services. Our primary goal remains – to make Minnesota’s Medicaid program the best in the nation for program integrity. Coupled with enhanced pre-payment review and the current provider revalidation process, DHS’ partnership with law enforcement to provide investigatory information to federal investigators helps build strong cases, put criminals behind bars, and weeds out providers who are using Medicaid to line their pockets. I am grateful for actions by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal agencies, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to prosecute those who steal from essential programs designed to help the state’s most vulnerable people.”
Rep. Michelle Fischbach
“Today’s FBI raids are necessary to stop criminals from taking dollars from hardworking, law-abiding Minnesotans. We have zero tolerance for those who steal from our families and our communities.”
FBI Director Kash Patel
In response to Gov. Walz’s statement: “Come again? This FBI and DOJ with our DHS partners drafted and executed every search warrant today. But go ahead and take credit for our work while we smoke out the fraud plaguing Minnesota under your governorship.”
City of Minneapolis
“The City of Minneapolis is not involved in the federal operations being reported around Minnesota today, and as of 9:30 a.m., MPD has not been asked to assist with the execution of federal warrants.
“We understand that any federal actions in our neighborhoods may spark fear among residents, and we will continue to marshal City resources to help the community in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge.”
Department of Homeland Security
“Homeland Security Investigations in cooperation with our law enforcement partners executed criminal search warrants in Minneapolis relating to the rampant fraud of U.S. taxpayers dollars.
“The American people deserve answers in how their taxpayer money was abused.”
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
“Today’s law enforcement actions are a result of state, county, and federal agencies working together to root out fraud and hold bad actors accountable. Each plays a role in protecting taxpayer dollars and we’re seeing the strength of that collaborative working relationship in action.
“The Department of Children, Youth, and Families, works every day to protect program integrity. We are pleased to see the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and our federal partners taking strong action based on information we have shared with them. We will continue sharing information with law enforcement to ensure they are able to conduct thorough criminal investigations. Questions about the investigations should be directed to the criminal investigating agency.”
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
“Collaboration is key in fighting fraud. Today, BCA Financial Crimes and Fraud special agents partnered with federal law enforcement to execute multiple warrants across the Twin Cities metro area. We remain committed to identifying fraud and holding those responsible accountable. “
This is a breaking news story.
Courtesy of KTSP
