Finstad and others send letter on state fraud, waste and abuse

U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad of Minnesota's 1st District led Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach and Congressman Pete Stauber — all of Minnesota — on Thursday in sending a letter to Gov. Tim Walz and leadership of the Minnesota Legislature communicating their urgent and growing concern related to what they say is widespread fraud, waste, and abuse within public programs administered by the State of Minnesota, many of which involve federal funding and oversight. 

In the letter, the representatives outline repeated cases of failed oversight and accountability across multiple state agencies and programs that resulted in fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars, citing recent incidents within the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Housing Stabilization Services, the Child Care Assistance Program and others.