A former Minnesota state trooper has accused officials within the state’s Department of Human Services of attempting to suppress evidence of fraud tied to a child care funding program.

Jay Swanson, who previously worked as a criminal investigator for the agency, told lawmakers that he faced pressure from superiors to alter or remove findings related to suspected fraud during an investigation.

He also claimed that it was widely believed among some Somali refugee communities in East Africa that Minnesota offered opportunities to exploit weaknesses in child care assistance programs.

The allegations were presented during a hearing held by the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee, raising questions about how fraud investigations were handled at the time.

Swanson stated that during his investigation, he was instructed to revise responses submitted to legislative auditors, which he believed would have concealed evidence of wrongdoing. He said he refused, warning that such actions would be unlawful.

According to his testimony, tensions escalated after he submitted his findings, with officials allegedly confronting him and demanding changes. He described instances where investigators in his unit were subjected to pressure and intimidation aimed at discrediting their work.

Swanson further claimed that a consulting firm was later hired to review the findings and cast doubt on the conclusions of fraud, despite lacking expertise in financial crime investigations.

Republican lawmakers have also raised concerns about actions taken after Tim Walz assumed office. They allege that a specialized investigative unit with authority to pursue fraud cases was effectively dismantled, limiting its ability to conduct criminal probes.

State Representative Kristin Robbins stated that investigators were restricted from carrying out surveillance operations or collaborating freely with law enforcement agencies without approval from supervisors.

The controversy comes as federal authorities have intensified efforts to investigate alleged fraud linked to child care centers across Minnesota. Recent raids conducted by the FBI targeted multiple locations as part of a broader investigation.

Officials estimate that the total scale of fraud could reach billions of dollars, with dozens of individuals already charged and convicted in connection with the scheme.

Despite the allegations, Governor Walz has maintained a strong stance against fraud, stating that collaboration between state and federal agencies is key to holding offenders accountable.

However, critics argue that previous actions taken under his administration contradict these claims, pointing to the experiences shared by whistleblowers like Swanson.

The situation continues to draw national attention as investigations progress and additional hearings are expected.