Ilhan Omar’s Husband’s Winery Shut Down Amid Fraud Allegations

A winery co-owned by the husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has been closed following allegations of fraud. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., revealed the closure and the ongoing investigation into Omar’s financial disclosures.

In a recent statement, Comer indicated that the winery had been selling empty barrels to investors, purporting them to be “wine to be aged.” Comer mentioned this during a discussion with Trey Gowdy on Fox News’ “Sunday Night in America.” He suggested inconsistencies in Omar’s financial disclosure form may warrant a search warrant.

Comer’s investigation highlighted a significant discrepancy in Omar’s financial disclosure form, shedding light on a listing of $25 million from the winery, which is now reportedly shut down due to fraud.

“I can tell you from our initial investigation of Omar and her financial disclosure form that there are multiple fronts where you could get a search warrant issued,” Comer stated.

The winery, co-owned by Tim Mynett, Omar’s husband, ceased operations in April amid questions concerning Omar’s financial activities. The disclosure allegedly erased millions, suggesting a potential negative net worth, which remains unexplained.

The developments resurfaced during a federal investigation into Omar’s citizenship status. Earlier this month, federal law enforcement executed a search warrant at her residence in Washington, D.C. This operation was tied to allegations involving her and her father misrepresenting her age to facilitate U.S. citizenship.

Critics, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., argue Omar should face deportation if the allegations prove valid. Omar and her supporters counter these claims, viewing the investigation as partisan retaliation against one of President Donald Trump’s critics.

Omar has previously faced accusations of impropriety during her tenure. The House Oversight Committee has probed Omar’s finances, prompted by an unexplained surge in her net worth, which she attributed to accounting errors.

Comer had highlighted the winery in a letter sent in February, mere weeks before its closure.

“There are serious public concerns about how your businesses increased so dramatically in value only a year after reporting very limited assets,” Comer wrote to Mynett.

Omar’s 2023 financial disclosure listed a stake in the winery eStCru, valued between $15,001 and $50,000. The following year, this stake reportedly increased to between $1,000,001 and $5,000,000.

She informed The Wall Street Journal in April that her combined assets with Mynett are less than $100,000.

The winery eStCru, located in California, was founded in 2020 by Tim Mynett and a business partner and was recognized by Wine Business as one of the “Hot Brands of 2022.” Recently, Homeland Security Investigations agents raided Omar’s home in Washington, D.C.

A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee has referred the issue of Omar’s finances to the House Ethics Committee for further review, though it has yet to address the case.