There's a reason Ron didn't post that full letter: he’s full of shit.
The letter is actually incredibly complimentary of AG Ellison's fraud-fighting work.
Here's what the letter says, screenshots attached:
- AG Ellison's MFCU has the 2nd most convictions of 15 similarly-sized units! That sounds like a strong record to me.
- AG Ellison's MFCU is effectively using its resources to investigate and prosecute fraud.
- AG Ellison's MFCU has a strong working relationship with federal fraud investigators. Federal fraud investigators noted AG Ellison's team is "extremely willing to work jointly and pursue aggressive prosecution of fraud."
- The reason the recertification was conditional is because of the MFCU's staffing level, which AG Ellison's fraud-fighting bill actually fixed. So the problem is already solved, thanks to AG Ellison. Fun fact: Ron actually opposed that bill and urged Republicans not to pass it. An even more fun fact: Republicans ignored Ron and voted overwhelmingly to pass AG Ellison's bill.
Also, the reason Minnesota's MFCU has lower patient abuse and neglect cases is that the MN AG's Office does not have criminal jurisdiction there the same way it has jurisdiction over Medicaid fraud. Other states have that authority, so it's far, far easier for them to prosecute those particular cases.
3 closing thoughts:
1) AG Ellison has a great record of fighting fraud.
2) The letter Ron posted about says as much! Multiple times!
3) Ron's just flat out lying to Minnesotans.
BOMBSHELL: The federal government has determined that Keith Ellison’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is failing to effectively carry out its responsibilities.
In a stunning rebuke, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General has placed Minnesota’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on conditional recertification, citing serious deficiencies in its operations and performance.
The Inspector General concluded that the unit “is not effectively carrying out its statutory functions and requirements.”The findings are damning:
📷 The unit failed to exercise proper fiscal control over its federal grant.
📷 It is not effectively using its resources to investigate and prosecute allegations of patient abuse and neglect.📷 Over three years, the unit secured just FOUR convictions related to patient abuse and neglect, ranking 13th out of 15 similarly sized units nationwide.📷 The Inspector General determined that the unit is not adhering to federal performance standards.This isn't a political accusation.
These are the findings of the federal government's own Inspector General.
Minnesota has been rocked by massive Medicaid fraud scandals, and now we learn that the very unit responsible for investigating and prosecuting Medicaid fraud is failing to meet federal standards.
And once again, don't expect the mainstream media to give this story the attention it deserves.
Keith Ellison has had years to get this right. Instead, federal officials are raising serious concerns about the performance of his office.
Minnesotans deserve an Attorney General who takes fraud seriously, protects vulnerable Minnesotans, and holds criminals accountable.
As Attorney General, that's exactly what I'll do.