Governor’s anti‑fraud package: probe consolidation at BCA, new theft statute, DHS and MNIT data tools, and expanded grants debarment authority

Minnesota officials outlined the governor’s proposed anti‑fraud package to the Senate Committee on State and Local Government, describing coordinated changes across agencies meant to detect, investigate and penalize fraud against state programs.

Erin Campbell, commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, said the package rests on three categories: stronger investigative and enforcement authority, better detection and oversight, and increased criminal penalties. "Fraud against these public programs is unacceptable. It is not a victimless crime and it harms the same people we're trying to help with these services," she told the committee.

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension: consolidation and capacity Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said an administrative reorganization has combined the Commerce Fraud Bureau’s investigators with BCA criminal investigators to form a single Financial Crimes and Fraud section. The reorganization groups insurance fraud, wage theft, auto theft and state‑program fraud investigators under a unified structure to reduce duplication and improve coordination. Evans said the BCA is requesting one forensic accountant to support complex financial record reviews and funding for two contracted assistant attorneys general to support prosecutions and provide feedback to agencies after investigations.

New theft of…