Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing backlash after his administration funneled nearly $449,000 in taxpayer funds to a legal nonprofit in a controversial settlement that transferred the state’s first transgender inmate to a women’s prison, raising questions about backdoor policy changes and the use of public money.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration is under scrutiny for allocating nearly $449,000 in taxpayer funds to a left-wing legal nonprofit, Gender Justice, in a settlement that led to the transfer of the state’s first transgender inmate to a women’s prison. The funds, part of a “sue-and-settle” arrangement, were revealed by a review of public records obtained by watchdog group OpenTheBooks.com.
In 2022, Gender Justice filed a complaint against the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), claiming discrimination against Christina Lusk, a transgender inmate held in a men’s prison. Lusk, who had been undergoing hormone therapy and was seeking sex-reassignment surgery, including vaginoplasty, was incarcerated in 2018 on drug charges. The DOC initially resisted the lawsuit, but in May 2023, a $495,000 settlement was reached, awarding Lusk $245,903 and Gender Justice $198,000 in legal fees. As part of the settlement, Lusk was transferred to a women’s facility and guaranteed medical procedures pending evaluation.
The case has raised questions about how public funds are used to settle lawsuits. Gender Justice’s involvement has drawn criticism due to its connections with the Walz administration and significant campaign donations from law firms involved in the case. Critics argue that this arrangement sidestepped legislative oversight, allowing significant policy changes on transgender inmate care.
Governor Walz has positioned himself as a supporter of gender-affirming care, signing a 2023 law that protects access to such services. However, his administration’s handling of this case has sparked controversy, with Republicans labeling him “Tampon Tim” and criticizing his policies as too radical. As Walz campaigns for vice president alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, these issues are likely to remain a point of contention, particularly in conservative circles.
Vice President Harris, who selected Walz as her running mate, has not addressed the controversy, nor has she emphasized her administration’s record on LGBT issues during campaign events. This silence, along with mounting criticism over state funds management, has drawn further attention to the Walz-Harris ticket as they head into the November election.
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