DHS pays $495M for prison CoreCivic offered to Minnesota for $75M
DHS paid $495 million for a closed Minnesota prison. But CoreCivic had offered it to the state for just $75 million.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a federal fraud crackdown in Minnesota on Friday. Bessent started a $25 million whistleblower program and coordinated searches.
A reporter asked about the Department of Homeland Security buying a closed prison in Appleton from CoreCivic. The price was $495 million.
Yet CoreCivic had offered it to the state for just $75 million the year before. Bessent refused to answer.
He said the question got in the way of fighting fraud. The prison has been closed for 16 years.
It sits three hours from Minneapolis. CoreCivic gained from Trump's deportation policies.
The company gave $500,000 to the Trump-Vance inauguration. The purchase does not include the costs to fix the building.
- $495 million
- DHS purchase price
- $75 million
- State offer price
- $420 million
- Price difference
- 16
- Years closed
Why it mattersIt shows a possible government overpayment. The administration is starting a major anti-fraud campaign at the same time. This raises questions about spending oversight.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though the story underscores spending risks in government purchasing that mirror debates in any democracy.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
