Newsom Has His Own Massive State Fraud Problem

California’s scandal dwarfs Minnesota’s.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom gestures as he attends a press conference during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, November 11, 2025.

Adriano Machado/Reuters

Tim Walz perp-walked himself out of the Minnesota governor’s race this past week, beset by evidence that fraudsters have plundered his state’s federally funded food, housing, daycare, and Medicaid programs. It’s “what has been described as the nation’s largest COVID-era scheme,” says Fox News, with the U.S. attorney in Minnesota estimating “the fraud could exceed $1 billion and rise to as high as $9 billion.”

The “nation’s largest COVID-era scheme”? Au contraire, California remains the leader in that category, a ranking the Golden State won’t give up easily. And the state’s fraud scandal could come back to haunt Governor Gavin Newsom as he gears up for an expected presidential run.

Will Swaim

About the Author

Will Swaim

Will Swaim is the CEO of the California Policy Center and, with David L. Bahnsen, a co-host of National Review’s Radio Free California podcast.

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