The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) accepts all allegations concerning the possible misuse of state money and other public resources (such as computers, telephones, equipment, and work time). We also receive allegations regarding noncompliance with state law. We make a preliminary assessment of every allegation we receive to determine if further review by OLA is warranted.
There are several options for reporting allegations of wrongdoing to OLA. Our preferred approach is for you to use OLA’s online allegation form. With this option, you can electronically and securely submit your allegation form to OLA. If you would rather send an allegation form to OLA using U.S. Mail, please use the printable allegation form and send it to the following address:
Office of the Legislative Auditor
140 Centennial Building
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
Attention: Katherine Theisen
You can also call 651-295-1272 to report allegations of wrongdoing.
Please feel free to send supporting documentation for your allegations to our office by U.S. Mail or email (ola.complaints@state.mn.us). Note that we cannot ensure the security of your information when you email us from a personal account.
You may submit an allegation to OLA anonymously, but that might diminish our ability to pursue your concern. OLA has authority in state law to protect your identity from disclosure if this assurance is necessary to obtain information about your allegation. By providing us with your name and contact information, OLA will have the opportunity to seek any necessary clarification from you regarding your allegation, and this will also allow us to report back to you at a later time regarding your allegation.
OLA conducts a preliminary assessment of every allegation it receives. For example, we look at the evidence that has been provided, and we consider the nature and potential impact of the alleged wrongdoing.
We may consider addressing the allegation during a current or future audit or evaluation, or we may initiate a “special review” to give prompt attention to the issue. Alternatively, we may decide there is no basis for further action, or we may refer the allegation to another office that can more appropriately review the allegation. OLA is more likely to conduct further review if there is evidence that an individual or organization may have violated a state law, rule, or policy that governs the use of public money or other resources.
Although OLA reviews every report it receives, not all reports result in an investigation. If you provided us with a way to contact you when you submitted your allegation, we will inform you of our decision.
Please understand that data related to active OLA financial audits, program evaluations, special reviews, investigations, and assessments of an allegation or report are confidential or protected nonpublic pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, 3.979, subd. 3. As a result, we are unable to provide updates regarding any particular complaint until it is resolved.
A number of agencies operate hotlines specific to the programs they administer. While OLA accepts all reports of wrongdoing in Minnesota state government, please consider directing your concerns directly to the responsible agency.
Below are some state and local resources that might be able to assist you.
Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson investigates complaints about the rights, care, safety, and placement of individuals in Minnesota foster care settings.
The Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families investigates complaints regarding child protection, foster care, public education, housing, and social services.
The Office of Ombudsperson for Families addresses complaints regarding child protection matters and foster care issues. This office includes an Ombudsperson for African American families, an Ombudsperson for Asian Pacific families, and an Ombudsperson for Spanish Speaking Families.
The Board on Judicial Standards investigates complaints about Minnesota state court judges for violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
The Guardian ad Litem Board addresses complaints regarding the conduct of Guardians ad Litem.
The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility investigates complaints of ethical misconduct by attorneys.
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights investigates allegations of discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and education based on protected class such as race, religion, and disability.
Your county attorney’s office investigates complaints about election misconduct, discrimination, voter intimidation, or other irregularities.
The Campaign Finance Board investigates alleged violations of state campaign finance laws.
The House of Representatives Ethics Committee and the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct address concerns about legislators’ conduct in their respective chambers. Please be aware that there are specific rules for submitting complaints to these committees.
Report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center. To report child abuse or neglect, contact the county or Tribal Nation where the child lives. If the child or vulnerable adult is in immediate risk of harm, please contact your local law enforcement agency or dial 911.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Office of Inspector General investigates allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in programs administered by DCYF, including child care assistance.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Inspector General investigates allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in programs administered by DHS, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and MinnesotaCare.
Contact the appropriate health licensing board with concerns and complaints regarding licensed healthcare providers.
The Board of Social Work handles complaints against individuals licensed by the Board.
The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities investigates complaints that impact individuals receiving services for mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency, or emotional disturbance.
The Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care advocates for and assists Minnesota adults needing or receiving long-term care.
The Ombudsman for Public Managed Health Care Programs assists persons enrolled in a health plan for their Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare health benefits.
The Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training addresses complaints about peace officer behavior that violates the peace officer standards of conduct.
The Office of Justice Programs provides information and assistance to crime victims and provides county specific referrals throughout Minnesota.
The Office of the Ombuds for Corrections investigates complaints about corrections agency actions and policies.
The Attorney General’s Office accepts complaints on a wide variety of matters, including wage theft, consumer, and tenant concerns.
The Department of Commerce investigates complaints involving many regulated industries, including insurance, financial services, and real estate.
The Department of Labor and Industry accepts complaints regarding construction contractors and skilled tradespeople, as well as workplace and employment-related complaints.
The Department of Administration’s Data Practices Office can provide guidance on issues related to accessing government data and open government meetings.
The Minnesota State Law Library has compiled lists of legal resources available to you, based on the county in which you live and by subject.
