Senator Michelle Benson and Senator Rich Draheim released the following statements in response to changes at Office of the Investigator General Office in Department of Human Services: 

“I’m glad to see new leadership at the Office of Investigator General and encourage Mr. Jacobson to embrace reform in this vital department,” said Sen. Benson. “While we understand Acting Commissioner Wheelock would want to utilize Ms. Ham to earn a salary rather than sit at home while an investigation finally begins, we share the concerns of Minnesotans who have good reason to mistrust her ability to carry out any role at DHS in light of her past performance.”

“I’m glad we can begin to move forward at the OIG under new leadership,” added Sen. Draheim. “It is disappointing Ms. Ham will continue to serve and receive a salary from DHS despite being under investigation for poor management. As a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission to cut costs in Health and Human Services, I want to be clear that without change in the culture and job performance at DHS, we will continue to see costly mistakes that hurt the not only the taxpayers, but the people who lose out on services from fraud, waste, and abuse.”

Read more about the changes here: DHS gets new inspector general while MN investigates boss; New inspector general at Department of Human Services amid fraud investigation