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MPR reporter Curtis Gilbert's interview last evening

 with Sen. Barb Goodwin about a state audit that showed an anti-poverty agency  wasted taxpayer money on lavish trips was shocking in its familiarity.

As the controversy unfurls, it repeats a typical theme: Someone tried to blow the whistle on alleged mismanagement and the sound fell on deaf ears.

"If somebody took the time to go back further, they'd see millions of dollars that were misspent," Goodwin said.

 was -- at best -- asleep and -- at worst -- complicit. Which is it?

Rep. Keith Ellison, a member of the board, says he never went to meetings and sent someone else. Rep. Jeff Hayden says 

 and he -- or is it she? -- quit the board yesterday while calling for the resignation of executive director Bill Davis.

At a meeting of the board yesterday, which was closed to the media, only six of 11 board members showed up, the 

If you believe the members of the board who are talking, they're shocked to find there's gambling in this establishment.

It might be a more believable defense -- "we didn't know" -- were it not for Sen. Goodwin confirming she's been telling people about the hints of a mess for 17 years. And lowering the cone of silence in the aftermath of the audit's report doesn't inspire confidence, either.

While Davis is the target of those heading for cover, the 

 shines its light on the board of well-connected DFLers, but generally pulled its punches.

Republicans will hold a news conference today to call for an ethics investigation into Hayden.

Maybe then someone will ask why a Legislature -- alternatively controlled by the GOP and DFL -- ignored the warning signs for 17 years.

NewsCut

Bob Collins

Author

Barb Goodwin tried to blow the whistle on Community Action of Minneapolis. Other politicians ignored her, for 17 years.

DFLers head for cover in Community Action controversy

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