A Republican-fronted committee has issued subpoenas, including to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, related to a massive embezzlement of federal pandemic funds.

In a sweeping investigation, a Republican-led U.S. House panel has cast subpoenas -- which include Kamala Harris' running mate -- to probe a $250 million pandemic relief fund fraud, pinpointing funds meant to aid child nutrition during the pandemic, as The Guardian reports.

The subpoenas, spearheaded by the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, target multiple high-level officials, including Walz.

This action heralds a significant escalation in a multidimensional fraud investigation involving federal child nutrition programs, primarily administered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reports from NBC News have revealed that besides Walz, Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis Fong were also subpoenaed.

These officials are connected through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Education's oversight, which allegedly failed to prevent a massive fraudulent scheme by the nonprofit, Feeding Our Future.

Feeding Our Future is accused of misappropriating over $250 million in funds intended to feed children during the school closures caused by the pandemic.

The allegations involve fabricated claims for reimbursement on meals that were never provided.

Subpoenas Seek Documents, Not Personal Testimonies

Unlike many high-profile inquiries requiring personal testimonies, this subpoena to Walz requests the submission of pertinent documents by Sept. 18.

This method suggests a documentary review process rather than public hearings at this stage.

This legal approach underscores the committee's focus on gathering extensive documentary evidence to comprehend the depth and breadth of the alleged mismanagement or oversight failures.

Past Trial Sheds Light on Fraud Mechanics

Earlier this year, a federal trial unraveled part of the operational methods of the fraud scheme, leading to convictions of five individuals.

Notably, this trial revealed an audacious attempt to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash, highlighting the lengths to which participants in the scheme went to manipulate the judicial process.

To date, about 70 people stand charged in connection to this expansive fraud case. The scope of the indictments and the alleged amount involved place this scheme among the most significant frauds linked to pandemic relief efforts nationwide.

Political Spotlight Intensifies Investigation

The investigation has attracted increased scrutiny due to the political stature of Governor Walz, recently named as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee.

His administrative role over the state education department that failed to prevent the fraud has been spotlighted, weaving a complex layer of political and bureaucratic accountability into the narrative.

As the vice-presidential campaigns gear up, the implications of this investigation could extend beyond legal repercussions, potentially influencing public political perceptions and Walz's future career.

The unfolding developments in this case promise to cast long shadows, offering insights into the challenges of managing vast federal programs and the vigilance required to safeguard public funds against such large-scale misappropriations.