Regional fraud investigator reports 41 referrals for Winona County fiscal year; estimated county savings reported
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Summary
Kaylene Anderson, a welfare/government-assistance fraud investigator assigned to a multi-county region, told the board she reviewed 41 referrals for Winona County in the fiscal year, found discrepancies in a subset of cases, and estimated recoveries and prevented payments totaling roughly $112,120 with $38,460 in overpayments flagged for collection.
Kaylene Anderson, a fraud investigator housed in the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office who covers several counties including Winona, briefed the Winona County Board on her case work and outcomes for the most recent fiscal year.
Anderson said she investigates suspected fraud across programs including SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), childcare assistance and Medicaid-related programs. She described investigative tools (Clear, driver’s-license databases, court records, property tax records, child-support and employment records) and investigative steps ranging from interviews to subpoenas for bank and lease records.
For Winona County during the June 30, 2024–July 1, 2025 fiscal year Anderson said 41 referrals were received; she identified household-composition discrepancies in eight cases, three income discrepancies, four residency discrepancies and 12 cases categorized as “other.” She said 17 of the 41 referrals produced no discrepancy. Actions taken included 10 negative actions at the application stage (preventing payments, saving an estimated $6,000), 26 negative actions on open cases (saving roughly $21,105) and four negative actions on recertifications (saving $925). Anderson also said administrative disqualification hearings and overpayment referrals accounted for $38,460 sent for collection; the total savings figure she reported was $112,120 for Winona County.
Commissioners asked whether savings reported are Winona County funds and Anderson said the programs are largely state and federally funded and her position is grant-funded through the Department of Human Services; she clarified the figures were calculated for Winona County clients and cases. Commissioners also asked about enforcement and recidivism; Anderson described administrative disqualification periods imposed after hearings — typically one, two or 10 years depending on findings — and said she can refer certain cases to county attorneys where she believes criminal intent exists.
Board members expressed appreciation for the work and for the return on investigative effort; one commissioner recommended DHS prioritize the program and another said the county needs more capacity of this type of investigator.
What’s next: Anderson will continue to process referrals and coordinate with county attorneys on cases suitable for legal action. Commissioners asked staff to consider whether additional resources are warranted to expand investigative capacity.
Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this report are listed in the meeting record.
