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Documents show that within the past year, the Minnesota Department of Human Services broke state law more than 200 times, the Star Tribune 

. The newspaper’s review found that DHS allowed $52 million in contracts and grant commitments to vendors, Native tribes and other state government agencies without proper documentation. 

According to the Star Tribune, the DHS said it has tools to prevent these types of scenarios, but lawmakers warn these violations create a tough situation for the agency where misuse of taxpayer dollars is a huge risk, while also making it harder to negotiate with vendors.

The story details some of the internal concerns that were raised:

The story comes on the heels of a scathing report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor. MPR’s Briana Bierschbach 

Meanwhile, Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, told the Star Tribune that an independent forensic audit of all programs at DHS is needed in light of the violations.

Politics and Government News

MPR News Staff

Author

Documents show that within the past year, the Minnesota Department of Human Services broke state law more than 200 times, the Star Tribune reports. The DHS allowed $52 million in contracts and grant commitments to vendors, Native tribes and other state government agencies without approval, the report says. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services

Report: Records show DHS violated state contract law

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