(The Epoch Times)—Kelly Loeffler, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced she halted $5.5 million in federal payments to Minnesota on Dec. 23, citing the state’s fraud scandals, estimated to total $9 billion, and specific concerns that her agency uncovered.
SBA investigators found at least $2.5 million in pandemic-relief loans “granted to individuals indicted as part of the Somali fraud scheme,” she wrote in a letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. In addition, the agency found Minnesota doled out 13,600 pandemic-relief loans—worth $430 million—that are “suspected as fraudulent.” Prosecutors have stated that most of the defendants indicted in three major scandals in the state are of Somali origin.
“Minnesota cannot be trusted to administer federal tax dollars,” Loeffler wrote on X, separately linking to the letter she sent Walz. She described the withheld money as “funds to SBA resource partners.”
“The volume and concentration of potential fraud is staggering, matched in its egregiousness only by your response to those who attempted to stop it,” she wrote.
She accused state leaders of inaction when the allegations of fraud came to light. “When legislators and whistleblowers raised concerns about potential abuse during the pandemic, your Administration resisted oversight, refused accountability, and allowed the misconduct to metastasize,” she wrote.
The Epoch Times sought comment from Walz but received no reply prior to publication time.
Walz has repeatedly pushed back since late November, saying Minnesota attracts criminals because of its generosity.
The governor has also accused critics of “trying to demonize” Somalis.
In a Dec. 15 news release, Walz outlined steps he has taken to combat fraud, responding to a flurry of national publicity over the burgeoning scandals.
State programs have “created additional checks and balances,” and hired investigators, auditors, and law enforcement, he said. In addition, he appointed a new anti-fraud czar, Tim O’Malley, a former FBI agent and superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
“O’Malley will work across state government to root out fraud and protect taxpayer dollars,” Walz said.
Loeffler, in her letter, opined that the fraud should have been squelched much faster or prevented altogether.
“What happened in Minnesota is the consequence of socialist policies deliberately designed to pump out welfare funding without oversight or accountability,” she wrote. “SBA will not further that agenda by continuing to send funds to a state that has demonstrated a reckless refusal to enforce the law.”
Given these circumstances, “SBA has an obligation and the authority to act,” she said.
Therefore, her agency was cutting off funding for six programs in Minnesota, “pending further review.”
The two biggest recipients of those funds, Small Business Development Centers and the SBA Microloan Program, received more than $2 million apiece annually; smaller amounts that are now frozen went to Women’s Business Centers, SCORE business mentoring, the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program, and the SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.
She ended by telling Walz: “We will continue to do what you did not: protect federal dollars on behalf of the American people.”
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.