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Audit Finds Fabricated Records, Widespread Control Failures in Minnesota DHS Behavioral Health Grants

DHS says it has opened investigations following auditors’ finding of a systemic pattern of backdated or newly created files.

Overview

  • The legislative audit reviewed grants from July 2022 through December 2024, finding BHA oversaw about 830 agreements totaling roughly $425–$426 million.
  • In a sample of 71 grants to 56 recipients, auditors reported systemic issues in 63 cases, an 89% failure rate on compliance and controls.
  • Auditors documented multiple instances where BHA staff backdated or created records after the audit began, calling the conduct unprecedented and systemic.
  • Oversight lapses included missing or past‑due progress reports, no proof of 27 of 67 required monitoring visits, nearly $300,000 in unsupported reimbursements, and $915,000 paid before agreements were executed.
  • One grantee could not support a $672,647 single‑month payment and the grant manager who approved it later worked for the grantee; DHS has accepted the findings, begun reforms including a Central Grants Office, and says internal reviews include at least one referral to law enforcement, while a staff survey found 73% lacked sufficient training.