Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of minnesota and her husband Tim Meinette Minnesota’s Somali-American community is under investigation by a House Oversight Committee after their wealth reportedly surged amid a broader fraud scandal. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Cuomo raised questions about how the couple’s business grew from $51,000 to $30 million in just one year, Fox News reported.
What we know about the investigation
Cuomo said his team’s attorneys are currently considering subpoenaing him over what Meinette calls “strange business practices.” Omar’s 2024 disclosure form showed the couple’s net worth had risen significantly, the report said. Mynett’s investment company, Rose Lake Capital, was founded in 2022 with only $42 in the account, but in just one year it had assets of $25 million.
The book value of Meinette’s wine business also increased from negligible to millions of dollars. Colleagues reportedly notified federal authorities of the irregularities, triggering scrutiny of the couple’s finances. Omar has reportedly denied wrongdoing and blasted the investigation.
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“There are a lot of questions about how her husband amassed so much wealth in the last two years. It’s impossible,” Cuomo said.
Minnesota Fraud
The investigation comes amid a massive fraud scandal in Minnesota. Federal prosecutors estimate losses to Medicaid-related services and other state programs at least $9 billion. Donald Trump claimed the figure could be as high as $19 billion.
The fraud cases involved child care, feeding programs, autism services and housing assistance. In one reported scheme, pandemic-era funds were allegedly diverted to buy luxury cars, real estate and international travel. Several people, many of Somali origin, have been charged.
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In the wake of the scandal, Trump blamed immigration policies, claiming Minnesota exemplified the risk of mass immigration from “failed societies” such as Somalia. “They come here with no money and then go out and buy a Mercedes-Benz. Ilhan Omar, who is married to her brother, is a stone-cold liar and everyone knows it,” Trump said at the White House Easter lunch on April 1.
