Governor Tim Walz says the state Human Services Department will investigate allegations of fraud in Minnesota’s child-care assistance program — despite Legislative Auditor James Nobles’ recommendation that the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension do the probe. Walz said late Tuesday he’s asked the Human Services Department to start the investigation: “At this point in time, it’s in their hands and… our commitment is to making sure that that critically important program has the support and the trust of Minnesotans to know it’s working right.”
But Legislative Auditor Nobles argues it’s an investigation of criminal activity and belongs with the B-C-A. An audit by his office found fraud in the child-care assistance program is likely higher than the five or six million dollars alleged by county prosecutors — but investigators couldn’t make a reliable estimate.