Legislative auditor briefs committee on rising workload, budget options; OLA audit finds weaknesses at Minnesota State Lottery

The Office of Legislative Auditor told the Senate Committee on State and Local Government on Jan. 20 that an increasing number of allegations and reports has expanded demand for its special reviews unit, prompting budget options to add staff. The Office also presented a performance audit of the Minnesota State Lottery that identified control weaknesses and compliance concerns.

Legislative Auditor Judy Randall described OLA as a nonpartisan, independent office in the legislative branch that audits state and local entities that receive public funds. Randall and colleagues said the office received 481 allegations and reports in 2024, roughly 10 per week, and that its special reviews team — a four-person unit — is handling more preliminary assessments and communications to complainants and agencies. That workload, the office said, produced more than 600 official communications in 2024 related to allegations and referrals.

Catherine Tyson, director of special reviews, told the committee the unit triages and assesses allegations ranging from data disclosures to potential misuse of funds, and performs limited-scope inquiries and in-depth special reviews when warranted. Tyson said many matters are resolved without a public special-review report, but some limited-scope…