Rep. Schomacker Calls for Immediate Release of DHS Disciplinary Records Following OLA Audit

St. Paul – Representative Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne), Co-Chair of the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, is requesting the release of Department of Human Services personnel records related to any disciplinary actions connected to findings in the recent audit issued by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.

The audit found that the Behavioral Health Administration did not comply with most grant management requirements reviewed, lacked adequate internal controls over grant funds and that staff may have fabricated and backdated documents to mislead auditors. The full audit and its findings are available here.

Schomacker said the findings raise serious questions about oversight, a coordinated coverup and whether corrective or disciplinary action was ever taken in response.

“If disciplinary action occurred, that information must be released as required by law,” Schomacker said. “If no action was taken, that needs to be stated plainly. Transparency without accountability is meaningless, and Minnesotans deserve to know whether anyone is being held responsible.”

Under Minnesota Statute §13.43, subdivision 2(a)(5), the final disposition of any disciplinary action, including the reasons for the action and supporting documentation, is public data.