WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) led Minnesota Congressional Republicans in sending a letter to Governor Tim Walz highlighting concerns regarding allegations that companies linked to a highly ranked Liberian government official, Sekou Dukuly, received approximately $36 million in public funds to operate group homes in Minnesota. According to recent reports, Golden Touch Health Care and other group homes were investigated numerous times over the past decade for suspected maltreatment of their residents.
The letter reads:
“Dear Governor Walz,
“We write today to express our profound concern regarding the recent report of a Liberian government official receiving federally funded, state administered taxpayer dollars. This is yet another failure of your administration in safeguarding public funds.
“The latest allegations involving Golden Touch Health Care represent yet another troubling example. According to recent reporting, companies linked to Sekou Dukuly, who is a high ranking official in Liberia, received approximately $36 million in taxpayer funds over the past decade to operate group homes for vulnerable Minnesotans. During that period, state authorities investigated suspected maltreatment at affiliated facilities on at least 22 occasions, including cases involving resident deaths and substantiated neglect in multiple cases.
“While the Minnesota Department of Health has suspended payments to affiliated providers, citing credible allegations of Medicaid fraud, and has moved to close three facilities, this appears to be another example of your administration acting only after journalists, whistleblowers, or federal investigators expose serious misconduct.
“These allegations are deeply concerning, but they are not occurring in isolation. Minnesota taxpayers have repeatedly learned of alleged fraud and misuse involving Medicaid services, child care assistance, housing programs, and other publicly funded programs. This is a systematic failure of your administration’s oversight mechanisms that continues to permeate across the state.
“Minnesotans deserve to know why warning signs continue to be missed and why providers facing serious allegations remain eligible to receive taxpayer dollars. They also deserve confidence that state agencies are taking proactive steps to prevent fraud instead of simply responding after public funds have already been lost and vulnerable residents have been placed at risk.
“As a result of your failures, our state is under a microscope and providers who have done everything by the book are being punished by these bad actors draining our state’s resources. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to withhold Medicaid dollars from the state because additional fraud continues to be uncovered with no accountability coming from your administration.
“Minnesotans are tired of learning about another alleged fraud scheme only after billions of taxpayer dollars have been placed at risk. They deserve transparency, accountability, and lasting reform.
“Sincerely,
Brad Finstad, Member of Congress
Tom Emmer, Member of Congress
Pete Stauber, Member of Congress
Michelle Fischbach, Member of Congress”
