Fraud Prosecutor RESIGNS — $250M Case Abandoned

Hand holding a resignation letter on table.

The lead prosecutor who exposed Minnesota’s staggering $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scandal has resigned alongside at least 13 other federal attorneys, abandoning critical fraud cases just as the Justice Department shifts focus to investigating the widow of a woman killed by ICE rather than pursuing the welfare thieves who looted taxpayer funds.

Story Snapshot

Joe Thompson, who led the massive Feeding Our Future fraud prosecution, resigned from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office along with 13+ career prosecutors
Resignations follow DOJ directives to investigate the widow of Renee Good, shot by ICE on January 7, rather than focus on the shooting itself or ongoing fraud cases
The $250 million Feeding Our Future scheme involved fake child nutrition claims tied to Minnesota’s Somali community during COVID-19
Nearly 50 of 135 staffers have left the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office since Trump’s reelection, threatening prosecution of multiple fraud investigations

Massive Fraud Case Left in Limbo

Joe Thompson spearheaded the federal prosecution of the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, a COVID-era scandal where nonprofits tied to Minnesota’s Somali community allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for child nutrition programs, stealing $250 million in taxpayer money. Thompson secured dozens of indictments and convictions, exposing catastrophic failures in state oversight that allowed the fraud to flourish unchecked. His December 2025 announcement of additional charges signaled ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. Thompson previously declared Minnesota leads the nation in fraud, a damning indictment of welfare program vulnerabilities.

Career Prosecutors Exit Amid DOJ Pressure

At least 14 career prosecutors have resigned in two waves since late January 2026, including Thompson, Melinda Williams, Harry Jacobs, and Dan Beaubier. Sources cite DOJ pressure to compromise ethical standards, specifically orders to investigate Renee Good’s widow rather than examine the circumstances of the January 7 ICE shooting. Former Acting U.S. Attorney Anders Folk called the exodus “deeply concerning” and “unusual for career staff,” warning it impacts critical fraud and political assassination probes. Former prosecutor Laurie Levenson described the situation as “unprecedented,” noting prosecutors face demands “they’ve never had to” confront.

DOJ Disputes Clash With Prosecution Integrity

The mass resignations stem from internal conflicts over the Justice Department’s handling of the Renee Good shooting, where an ICE officer fatally shot Good during what officials described as an attempted ramming incident. DOJ leadership, including Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon, sidelined career prosecutors from investigating the shooting itself, instead directing focus toward Good’s widow. Dhillon dismissed mass resignation reports as “fake news” on social media, while DOJ officials claimed resignations were planned retirements predating the shooting. Governor Tim Walz criticized the administration for “pushing out nonpartisan professionals,” framing the departures as political purges undermining Minnesota’s justice system.

Fraud Prosecutions Threatened by Staff Collapse

The Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office now operates with approximately 85 remaining staffers after losing nearly 50 employees since Trump’s reelection. Departing prosecutors handled multiple high-stakes cases beyond Feeding Our Future, including Evergreen recovery fraud and housing stabilization fraud schemes. The office also prosecuted Vance Boelter for the shooting deaths of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. Short-term disruptions threaten continuity in ongoing fraud prosecutions, while long-term impacts include eroded DOJ credibility and delayed justice for Minnesota taxpayers victimized by welfare theft. Minnesota residents lose experienced fraud fighters precisely when accountability for the state’s leadership in fraudulent welfare claims demands aggressive prosecution.

Political Fallout and National Implications

National scrutiny of Minnesota’s welfare fraud contributed to Governor Walz’s decision not to seek a third term, exposing political consequences of inadequate program oversight. The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis intersected with fraud investigations, creating tensions between career prosecutors prioritizing financial crime accountability and political appointees focused on immigration enforcement. The exodus signals risks for career prosecutors nationwide under a politicized DOJ, potentially setting precedents for similar departures in other federal offices. This undermines the rule of law by subordinating fraud prosecution to political priorities, leaving taxpayers vulnerable to continued welfare exploitation.