Minnesota education agency employee out after sex-crime conviction surfaces
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A Minnesota Department of Education headquarters employee has been forced out after a conservative news site reported on the man’s prior conviction of criminal sexual conduct.
Agency officials confirm that Wilson Tindi's employment ended last week, although the department hasn’t said if he was fired or he resigned. The departure came after Alpha News, a news site that caters to the political right, posed questions to the agency about Tindi's 2016 conviction on fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charges for which he served time in a county workhouse.
Tindi worked as director of internal audit and advisory services for about two and a half months and was still considered a probationary employee.
The department told MPR News that Tindi “did not interact with students, visit schools, or have access to private student data.”
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Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, chairs the House Fraud Prevention and Agency Oversight Committee. She sent a letter to the department seeking answers regarding Tindi's hire and policies about vetting prospective hires.
"Even for other individuals who are employees of the department, they know their colleague is a registered sex offender. I think, as a female employee, I would want to know who I'm working with. That would raise concerns,” Robbins said.
In an email to MPR News on Saturday, Tindi said the criminal case was resolved years ago and he has complied fully with all conditions of his probation. He added that his record as an auditor at two state agencies has never been an issue of concern.
“Importantly, my career in state government spans nearly seven years, during which I have served with distinction,” Tindi said. He went on to say, “Notably, I have never been subject to discipline, misconduct findings, or even allegations of unprofessional conduct.”
He said the offense that drew him renewed focus had no connection to his public role and that he was never “legally barred from employment nor was there any evidence of misconduct in my state roles.”
Minnesota law requires criminal background checks for certain professions, including school teachers and bus drivers as well as licensed care providers. But for other positions, it isn't mandatory and can be done upon request of the hiring agency.
In his email, Tindi supplied a 2024 Minnesota Court of Appeals decision in a separate state employment case. It found that prior convictions unrelated to the duties of an applicant can’t be held against the person if they have shown they are rehabilitated or currently fit for the job.
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