Steve Hilton Calls for Full California Social Services Audit, Citing $84,000 Welfare Claim and Minnesota's $250 Million Fraud

Conservative commentator Steve Hilton has publicly demanded a comprehensive audit of all social services spending in California, drawing a stark comparison to Minnesota's recent "Feeding Our Future" scandal. Hilton's call for action stems from an alleged incident involving an Afghan immigrant in California who reportedly sought cash payments to avoid losing $84,000 annually in welfare benefits.

"An Afghan immigrant in California asked to be paid in cash - to avoid losing $84,000 a year in welfare," Hilton stated on social media. He further asserted, "You can be sure the Tim Walz fraud scandal is MUCH WORSE in Gavin Newsom's California. Today I'm calling for a complete audit of all social services spending."

The reference to the "Tim Walz fraud scandal" points to the "Feeding Our Future" scheme in Minnesota, which federal prosecutors have identified as the country's largest pandemic-related fraud. This scheme involved over $250 million in federal child nutrition program funds being siphoned off, with dozens of individuals indicted and many already convicted, including the organization's leader, Aimee Bock. The scandal has become a significant political issue for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

While the specific $84,000 cash payment claim from Hilton's tweet lacks immediate corroboration in recent public records, California has faced other significant fraud challenges. In 2019, an Afghan Senator, Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani, pleaded guilty to over $100,000 in welfare fraud in California by concealing foreign residency. More broadly, Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has grappled with massive unemployment insurance fraud, totaling at least $10.4 billion during the pandemic, and a recent indictment of his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, on charges of bank and wire fraud involving political campaign funds.

These instances highlight ongoing concerns about the oversight and integrity of public funds in California. Hilton's demand for an audit underscores a growing public and political scrutiny over the management and potential vulnerabilities within the state's extensive social services system. The outcome of such an audit, if initiated, could reveal the true extent of fraud and mismanagement in California's programs.