Sen. Hawley Accuses Minnesota AG Ellison of Accepting Donations from Fraud Scandal Perpetrators

Heated exchange erupts over Feeding Our Future fraud case during Senate hearing

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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During a Senate hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of accepting campaign donations from individuals linked to the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scandal. Hawley alleged that Ellison ignored whistleblower warnings about the fraud and only got involved after the perpetrators donated to his campaign. Ellison denied the accusations, calling them "lies" and suggesting Hawley should resign instead.

Why it matters

The Feeding Our Future scandal was one of the largest fraud cases in Minnesota history, with millions of taxpayer dollars stolen and used for illicit purposes. Hawley's accusations, if true, would raise serious ethical concerns about Ellison's handling of the case and his ties to the perpetrators.

The details

Hawley highlighted a New York Post report that individuals linked to the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal donated $10,000 to Ellison's campaign. The senator claimed that whistleblowers had warned Ellison's office about the fraud as early as 2019, but that Ellison ignored them until the perpetrators donated to his campaign and asked for his involvement. Ellison denied the accusations, saying the quotes used by Hawley were "cherry-picked" and that no donations from the fraud case came to his office.

  • In 2018 and 2019, whistleblowers brought fraud allegations from Feeding Our Future to the Minnesota Attorney General's office.
  • In 2026, the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal was uncovered, involving the theft of $250 million in taxpayer funds.

The players

Sen. Josh Hawley

A Republican senator from Missouri who accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of accepting campaign donations from individuals linked to the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal.

Keith Ellison

The Minnesota Attorney General who was accused by Hawley of ignoring whistleblower warnings about the Feeding Our Future fraud and only getting involved after receiving campaign donations from the perpetrators.

Feeding Our Future

A nonprofit organization at the center of a $250 million fraud scandal in Minnesota, where taxpayer funds were stolen and used for illicit purposes.

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What they’re saying

“You helped fraudsters defraud your state and this government of $9 billion — and you got a campaign contribution out of it. You ought to be indicted.”

— Sen. Josh Hawley (New York Post)

“That's a lie.”

— Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General (New York Post)

“Well, I should call you a prisoner because you ought to be in jail.”

— Sen. Josh Hawley (New York Post)

“They did not come to my office. You're completely wrong. … I did not see anybody.”

— Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General (New York Post)

What’s next

The Senate hearing is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether further investigations will be launched into the Feeding Our Future fraud case and Ellison's handling of it.

The takeaway

This heated exchange highlights the political tensions surrounding the Feeding Our Future scandal and the allegations of ethical lapses by the Minnesota Attorney General. The case underscores the importance of government oversight and accountability in preventing and addressing large-scale fraud schemes.