A Minnesota Republican lawmaker has fired off a formal document demand at Rep. Ilhan Omar after the Democratic congresswoman failed to respond to repeated invitations to testify before a state legislative committee investigating her potential links to the Feeding Our Future fraud case — a pandemic-era scheme federal prosecutors describe as one of the most brazen theft operations in the country’s history.
State Rep. Kristin Robbins, a Republican from Maple Grove who chairs the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, signed and sent the letter on April 22, putting Omar on notice that lawmakers will pursue answers with or without her cooperation.
“Minnesotans and the Members of the House Fraud Prevention & State Oversight Committee were disappointed that you failed to appear before our committee to answer questions,” Robbins wrote in the letter, which Fox News Digital obtained.
The congresswoman’s office never responded to the original invitation. Omar did not attend the hearing. Robbins says that silence has only deepened lawmakers’ determination to get to the bottom of what Omar knew and when.
“She didn’t even respond, ghosted us,” Robbins told reporters.
At the heart of the inquiry sits the MEALS Act — the Maintaining Essential Access to Lunch for Students Act — a piece of federal COVID relief legislation Omar introduced in 2020.
The bill granted waivers allowing non-school-based distributors to participate in federal meal delivery programs and claim compensation for the cost of meals supposedly served.
“And her Meals Act is what created the conditions that allowed Feeding Our Future to happen,” Robbins said. When asked if Omar has ever responded to any requests from the committee, Robbins answered: “No, we’ve sent multiple emails, multiple letters, nothing.”
Robbins’ letter demands a sweeping paper trail. She is asking Omar to turn over emails, texts, and meeting records tied to the congresswoman’s communications with the Minnesota Department of Education and outside groups connected to the child nutrition programs that became central to the Feeding Our Future prosecution.
A particular focal point involves Omar’s public promotion of a Minneapolis restaurant later identified by federal prosecutors as a key player in the scheme.
During the committee hearing, members played footage of Omar speaking in Somali on Somali TV of Minnesota, directly praising Safari Restaurant as a meal distribution site.
“I’m very thankful for Safari for being part of those places where food is being given out, also for making food every day, and helping those kids’ families in need of food,” Omar said, according to an English translation.
Prosecutors later identified the restaurant as a major participant in the Feeding Our Future scheme, which authorities say siphoned more than $250 million from a taxpayer-funded child nutrition program.
Robbins’ document request goes further still. It seeks records of any contact between Omar and individuals charged or implicated in the case, including Feeding Our Future nonprofit founder Aimee Bock and dozens of alleged co-conspirators.
The letter also raises questions about political donations Omar received from individuals later charged in the case, requesting “any and all” communications with those donors.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, also a Democrat, likewise declined to appear at the hearing.
“They are both key players in the child nutrition scandal and fraud — billions of our tax dollars that were stolen — and neither of them came to answer questions about their involvement,” Robbins said.
Democrats on the panel pushed back. State Rep. Dave Pinto, DFL-Saint Paul, defended Omar’s pandemic-era actions as an effort to combat food insecurity. “I had the sense from looking at the video that her intention seemed pretty clear, which was to make sure that kids were fed,” Pinto said.
Federal prosecutors allege that a network of individuals and organizations exploited the nutrition program to collect reimbursements for meals that were never actually served.
Robbins, who is currently running for governor of Minnesota, has set a May 5 deadline for Omar to deliver written answers and the requested materials.
Omar also faces scrutiny on the national stage. The Wall Street Journal reported on April 17 that Omar amended her financial disclosure form. A 2025 disclosure had listed her net worth at as much as $30 million.
“Minnesotans want accountability, and they want the truth,” Robbins said. “What was your involvement? What did you know?”
