Walz administration used outside investigators to punish whistleblowers, oversight committee finds
The Walz administration in Minnesota has been accused of retaliating against state employees who raised concerns about fraud and mismanagement of social service programs. An investigation by the House oversight committee found that officials used outside investigators and intimidation tactics to scrutinize whistleblowers. The report alleges that the agency's actions created a culture of fear, preventing employees from speaking out against fraud and mismanagement.
- ▪The House oversight committee report alleged that Minnesota officials retaliated against whistleblowers using outside private investigators and law firms.
- ▪The investigation found that DHS officials intimidated and harassed staff who raised fraud concerns, including photographing their homes and vehicles and monitoring their phones and computers.
- ▪The report concluded that the agency's actions were a stunning oversight failure, and that Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison were responsible.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Minnesota officials under Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) retaliated against state employees who raised concerns about fraud and the state’s management of taxpayer-funded social service programs, including by hiring investigators outside of the agency to scrutinize whistleblowers and monitor workers who reported suspected abuse, a new House oversight committee majority staff report alleged. The 205-page report released on Monday alleged Minnesota Department of Human Services, or DHS, officials retaliated against whistleblowers using the help of outside private investigators and law firms, intimidation tactics, and surveillance efforts, including one instance where a DHS manager allegedly proposed using military connections to determine the locations of employees raising concerns about fraud.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Washington Examiner.
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