Chair of the Senate Health and Human Service Committee Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) released the following statement regarding the reports that Department of Human Services has overpaid Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the White Earth Nation by $25 million over the last five years. 

“We have been raising alarms about the accounting and costs in DHS for years. Today just shows that the agency’s mismanagement, underperformance, and incompetence has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Senator Benson. “This is actual money we’ve robbed from the taxpayers for at least five years. I appreciate the upcoming investigation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor and will take his suggestions with a sincere and dedicated effort to reform DHS. It’s also encouraging the Governor is engaged and willing to address the issue. There is a lot of work ahead for the legislature, the department, and the governor if Minnesotans are going to get the services they need from an open and transparent government they can trust. I am willing to work with anyone who wants to make good on those promises.”