DHS Official Shielded From Basic Whistleblower Questions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Luke Engquist
(651) 297-8191
luke.engquist@house.mn.gov

News release

DHS Official Shielded From Basic Whistleblower Questions

ST. PAUL — The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee convened this morning to speak with Department of Human Services Director of State Government Relations, Kristy Graume, regarding Minnesota's fraud epidemic. Lawmakers from both parties were frustrated with Director Graume's inability to answer basic questions regarding the organization's internal safeguards against fraud. However, not all DFL legislators were keen to find out answers. In one instance, the witness was blocked by Rep. Mohamud Noor, D-Minneapolis, from answering a line of straightforward inquiry by Rep. Tom Murphy, R-Underwood.

"With regard to whistleblowers... When did you know it, and what did you know, and has anybody been fired?" asked Murphy. Before Director Graume could respond, she was interrupted by Noor, who interjected, "I don't know if that is the right question for Director Graume. I think we will get the Commissioner to come and testify on some of these issues." 

The taxpaying citizens of Minnesota deserve more than canned answers from the DHS Commissioner. We demand real answers from the boots-on-the-ground employees who neglected to safeguard taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.

Click here to watch the testimony.

Below is a QR code for print readers to link to the testimony:

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/RepTomMurphy

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