Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is under scrutiny for her connections to a $1 billion welfare fraud scheme in her district, where members of her inner circle allegedly profited. The scheme involved funds meant for child nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Salim Ahmed Said, co-owner of a restaurant Omar supported, convicted for misusing the funds. Although Omar has not been directly linked to the fraud, she introduced the legislation that contributed to the financial misappropriation. Investigations are ongoing, with at least 78 defendants charged in what is termed the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme in the U.S.
