Midwest
Dem-appointed education officials face new scrutiny as Feeding Our Future scandal widens, Trump targets fraud
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New scrutiny has fallen on former Minnesota Department of Education leaders as the Feeding Our Future scandal tied to Gov. Tim Walz widens and President Donald Trump announces new measures targeting fraud in the state.
Feeding Our Future (FOF) was a Minnesota nonprofit that aimed to feed low-income children, though federal prosecutors claimed it illegally funneled more than $250 million in taxpayer funds to shell companies and people who used the money to purchase luxury cars, residential and commercial real estate, international travel and expensive jewelry. MDE was the government’s financial interlocutor responsible for approving and monitoring it.
In 2018, MDE conducted its only administrative review of the child and adult care food program operations (CACFP) at FOF.
According to a 120-page report from Minnesota Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Special Reviews Director Katherine Theisen reviewed by Fox News Digital, MDE “failed to act on warning signs known to the department prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and prior to the start of the alleged fraud.”
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The sun shines on the Minnesota state Capitol on Feb. 12, 2024, in St. Paul, on the opening day of the 2024 session of the Minnesota legislature. (Steve Karnowski/Associated Press)
MDE also “did not effectively exercise its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable to program requirements [and was] ill-prepared to respond to the issues it encountered with Feeding Our Future,” the auditors found.
During the period when the alleged scheme was forming, MDE was led by Brenda Cassellius through January 2019, when Walz took office. Walz then appointed Mary Cathryn Ricker – now at the Albert Shanker Institute, which is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers – to succeed her. Walz announced Ricker’s appointment on Dec. 20, 2018, and she formally began serving in 2019.
Cassellius’ tenure fell during the initial approval of FOF and its 2018 administrative review. Ricker’s tenure notably fell during what the audit described as the pivotal moments in the timeline when the group grew greatly and an approval for a summer food service program was made despite FOF losing its federal tax-exempt status.
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As of the June 2024 audit, MDE had only conducted one administrative review of FOF’s CACFP operations – while MDE received at least 30 complaints about FOF during the combined tenures of Cassellius and Ricker.
“By law, state agencies must promptly investigate complaints received or irregularities noted in connection with CACFP and SFSP,” the auditors said.
“Many of MDE’s complaint investigation procedures and practices were inappropriate or of limited usefulness, particularly in the context of the alleged fraud. While MDE had written complaint investigation procedures, their limited scope and failure to address important issues undermined their ability to promote good investigative practices.”
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The audit also found that MDE created somewhat of a feedback loop in which MDE “inappropriately asked Feeding Our Future to investigate complaints about itself.”
Additionally, MDE approved FOF’s SFSP application in June 2020 without re-verifying its nonprofit status, even though the IRS had revoked that status in February 2020 and later posted that revocation online.
Under Ricker’s stewardship, MDE’s payments to FOF increased 2,800% from fiscal year 2020 through 2021, according to the auditor’s report.
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Former Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius is seen during her tenure in Boston (David Ryan/Getty Images)
In one 2021 case referenced in the lengthy audit report, a vendor informed the state that FOF requested they offer a kickback and refused – and soon after, FOF canceled that vendor’s contract.
At one point, in 2021, MDE halted payments to FOF, but the group then sued under claims of racial discrimination, according to the Minnesota Reformer. A district judge in Ramsey County then ruled Minnesota couldn’t halt payments unless they confirmed fraudulent behavior, according to the outlet.
Current Education Commissioner Willie Jett II said during a hearing following the audit that his agency made proper referrals to police and that the responsibility for the fraud “lies with the indicted and convicted fraudsters.”
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Since then, Jett pledged to continue to strengthen oversight of such disbursements, and reportedly established an inspector general and general counsel’s office.
While MDE oversaw FOF, fraudsters also exploited other “low barrier” entry vulnerabilities in programs administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) around the same time.
In September, Asha Hassan, who was also charged in the scheme, was federally indicted on wire fraud charges for her alleged role in a $14 million scheme to defraud the state autism program.
“To be clear, this is not an isolated scheme. From Feeding Our Future to Housing Stabilization Services and now Autism Services, these massive fraud schemes form a web that has stolen billions of dollars in taxpayer money,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said in a statement.
Fox News Digital reached out to Milwaukee Public Schools – where Cassellius is currently the superintendent – as well as the Albert Shanker Institute for comment from Ricker.
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Detroit, MI
Fired Detroit TV anchor Taryn Asher files sex discrimination lawsuit against old station, claims new GM protected men
A fired Detroit TV news anchor blasted her former station, and their parent company, for letting her male colleagues’ bad behavior slide and then axing her when she complained about the unfair treatment, a new lawsuit claims.
Taryn Asher filed the federal sexual discrimination lawsuit on Wednesday against Fox Television Stations and her former workplace, WJBK TV, known as Fox 2 Detroit, in connection with her sudden termination in November.
The station went downhill after Fox 2 hired Paul McGonagle as their general manager — sparking a slew of female firings, while men, including Asher’s co-anchor Roop Raj, were offered more perks, the 26-page complaint obtained by The Post alleged.
“If Asher had not been female, she would not have been treated in the same discriminatory manner,” the filing, first reported by Deadline Detroit, said.
Raj was treated “more favorably” and offered “more guest interview segment opportunities on the evening news,” as well as scheduling adjustments, Asher claimed.
In one example, Asher alleged the station refused to let her adjust her schedule to host a show called “Let it Rip,” though Raj was given the leeway to host his show, “The Pulse.”
The suit also alleged that WJBK allowed him to “circumvent and undermine” Asher’s work responsibilities.
She later emailed McGonagle about the situation, writing, “I’m concerned about the lack of balance and equity, particularly compared to my co-anchor who holds the same responsibilities but has a more accommodating schedule.”
McGonagle met with Asher to tell her she would not be adjusting the schedule, and her new program would be put on hold, according to court papers.
An Emmy award-winning veteran broadcast journalist, Asher claimed that Raj had also been assigned all of the guest interviews they were supposed to split for Election Day, court documents said.
After complaining to management to no avail, Asher decided to speak with the co-anchor about her concerns that he was receiving “preferable treatment.”
The next day, Raj contacted human resources and “offensively labeled Asher as ‘jealous,’ and grossly mischaracterized Asher’s complaints of sex-based discrimination as Asher ‘[having] an issue with men vs. women,” court papers claim.
Shortly after, Asher was placed on leave “pending an investigation into alleged complaints of ‘egregious behavior’” with her Fox colleagues — and fired after a two-week probe for “outbursts” in the newsroom, the lawsuit said.
Asher denied having any such “outbursts” that warranted her to be fired, according to court papers.
Several male employees at the station had also exhibited “unprofessional behavior and misconduct” with lesser consequences, the filing alleged.
Among the examples, Raj was allegedly “merely suspended” for two weeks after being arrested for driving under the influence in 2012, and McGonagle was also allegedly promoted after a DUI arrest at a different Fox station.
Asher is seeking unspecified damages from Fox Television Stations and WJBK TV.
The action followed the longtime Detroit anchor’s complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that was subjected to “less favorable treatment” than male employees.
Neither Fox, McGonagle, nor Raj responded to The Post’s request for comment.
Milwaukee, WI
Friends, family gather to remember gunshot victim Pepe Sikisi-Belle Jr.
Tears, prayers, songs and memories filled the Lancaster Elementary School parking lot June 2 as family, friends and fellow members of S.I.G. Youth Fraternity, Inc. gathered at a Blackout Community memorial to honor Pepe Sikisi-Belle Jr.
Sikisi-Belle, 22, was killed May 30 during a birthday party for his son at Center Street Park in Milwaukee. During the private memorial, loved ones shared stories of the Milwaukee man, who was known within the fraternity as “House Party.”
‘He was the life of the party’
The memorial was emceed by fellow S.I.G. Youth Fraternity member Juanie Johnson, who said he had known Sikisi-Belle, a father of three, since he was a freshman.
“I actually pledged him into [S.I.G. Youth Fraternity], so I’ve had the opportunity to work with Pepe since he was in ninth grade,” Johnson said. “Like we said, we’re here to celebrate his life. This is what we do when one of our members passes. Just remember that although he’s gone, he will forever live in our hearts.”
Several fraternity brothers remembered Sikisi-Belle as the ‘life of the party’ who regularly checked on friends and family.
Speakers said Sikisi-Belle’s fraternity name, “House Party,” reflected not only his outgoing personality but also the comfort he provided to others. One fraternity member described him as a sincere soul who was always there for those around him, while others recalled his playful side and said he was known for teasing and trolling his friends.
One of Sikisi-Belle’s fraternity line brothers was too emotional to speak during the memorial, so Johnson spoke on his behalf.
“They were like two peas in a pod. They gave me a headache,” Johnson said. “They used to always get in trouble together, but to know Pepe is to love Pepe. He was always the life of the party, the spirit of the party, and he used to call me every morning just to be like, ‘You good, bro?’”
Sikisi-Belle’s parents also attended the memorial and shared remarks about their son.
“I miss my son,” said Marissa Bopilo, Sikisi-Belle’s mother. “I know that he loves y’all very, very much, and he’ll live on with us for the rest of our lives.”
Bopilo said she hopes those responsible for her son’s death are brought to justice.
“He was the life of the party, and he was definitely loved by many,” Bopilo said after the memorial. “I’m hoping things move forward with the situation. I’m hoping that we get justice.”
Members of the organization blew out candles one by one in honor of Sikisi-Belle before closing the memorial with a song.
Sikisi-Belle died from multiple gunshot wounds
At 6:47 p.m. May 30, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Center Street Park, 420 W. Clarke St., for reports of a shooting.
When authorities arrived, they found Sikisi-Belle dead from at least two gunshot wounds to his upper torso, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.
A 25-year-old Milwaukee woman was arrested at the scene in connection with the shooting. MCSO said the woman knew Sikisi-Belle and was found with two firearms in her possession.
As of June 3, no criminal charges had been filed in the case.
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis leaders split over ShotSpotter contract
Minneapolis leaders are divided over whether to keep paying for ShotSpotter as the city weighs a new contract for the gunfire detection system.
A public hearing at City Hall focused on the technology as Minneapolis negotiates a new contract with SoundThinking, the company that provides ShotSpotter. Deputy Chief of Investigations Travis Riddle told the council the system supports gun violence strategies and can alert police no later than 60 seconds after shots are fired.
Critics at the hearing said the technology is not proven enough and argued the money could be spent in other ways. The proposed deal would cost $3.7 million through 2029 and would expand ShotSpotter into new areas of Minneapolis.
“We have actually had a contract with SoundThinking for their ShotSpotter services since 2014, and even with this technology for over 12 years now, MPD’s solve rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings were some of the worst in the country,” Council member Robin Wonsley said.
Council members pushed back on the long-term proposal and said they want a one-year deal instead. Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw disagreed with concerns raised by her colleague during the debate.
“In my opinion, and in folks I’ve heard from the North Side who have shown up here time and time again to say that we want this technology, we believe that ShotSpotter is a tool that the police use to save lives,” LaTrisha Vetaw said
City Council is set to take up the issue again on June 17. Minneapolis police are expected to return with a one-year contract instead of the three-year contract brought forward at the hearing.
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