$90,000 in question: CFL audit report under <BR>investigation by five county attorneys

Posted 4/4/01

$90,000 in question: CFL audit report under
investigation by five county attorneys

By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

County attorneys from five Minnesota counties are planning to meet with the Legislative Auditor to discuss the auditorís recent audit of the Department of Children, Families and Learning (CFL).

In a letter to senators Michele Bachmann, R, Stillwater, and Warren Limmer, R, Maple Grove, Olmsted County Attorney Raymond Schmitz said that county attorneys from Cass, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey and Blue Earth met March 16 to discuss available public information on the audit.
Obviously, public information does not contain sufficient detail to allow them to judge the possible criminal involvement of any institution or person, Schmitz writes.

Bachmann and Limmer have requested a criminal investigation regarding $90,000 in grant money from the Pew Charitable Trust to CFL that was moved from a state account to a United Way Agency in Rochester.

According to the audit, a CFL employee filed a false report with the Pew trust saying all the grant money had been used.

Allegedly, similar ìoff siteî movements of funds from CFL also occurred with holding agents in Cass and Hennepin counties.

Limmer said Bachmann and he have tried contacting administration officials about their concerns over the audit but have been met by silence.
ìWe have not received a single comment from the Governorís Office or (CFL Commissioner) Jax,î said Limmer.

He does not want to be adversarial towards Gov. Ventura but wants them to work together and find answers, said Limmer.

In his letter to the two lawmakers, Schmitz warned them to be cautious in hearings on the CFL matter as it could impact potential criminal investigations.

In an interview with Greater Minnesota journalists last week, Gov. Ventura noted that the alleged misdeeds ñ the ìoffsiteî depositing of funds ñ had occurred before he had come to office.

ìMy personal feeling is that should be accountable for every dollar we get here ñ it should go for its intended purpose and shouldnít be deflected anywhere else without full disclosure to the public,î said Ventura.

The administration is investigating the matter, he said.