Three audits of Minnesota state agencies by the non-partisan Legislative Auditor have revealed the inappropriate use of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. The reports were presented today to the Legislative Audit Commission and its chair, Representative Rick Hansen, DFL – South St. Paul.
A special review by Legislative Auditor James Nobles found the Department of Natural Resources did not adequately control its involvement in a conference held by the North America Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association. Nobles reported that DNR management authorized the state’s involvement in the conference, but did not ensure that fundraising activities complied with state law. As a result, the auditor found the department had approximately $300,000 of inappropriate expenses and did not follow state policies for some travel by its employees.
Representative Hansen said his committee will look to the Pawlenty administration and its agencies to ensure the state is properly reimbursed for the misuse of public funds.
“I am disturbed just by the sheer number of findings in each of these reports. This is not the first time we have heard of inappropriate expenses totaling tens of thousands of dollars,” said Rep. Hansen. “This is an unacceptable pattern that needs some immediate attention.”
The reports prepared by the Office of the Legislative Auditor are available at its website.