Breaking: Minnesota DHS Inspector Carolyn Ham Placed on Administrative Leave After Fraud Scandal

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Inspector General, Carolyn Ham, has recently been placed on administrative leave shortly after the Office of the Legislative Auditor released a report exposing her passive role in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) fraud scandal.

Carolyn Ham

Brian Bakst, the political correspondent for Minnesota Public Radio, tweeted the news early afternoon on Mar. 18, citing a phone conversation he had with her where she stated: “I guess I became the scapegoat” and expressed heavy disagreement with the decision DHS made to put her on administrative leave.

The OLA report, released on Mar. 13, exposes how under Hams leadership, the relationship between Inspector General and investigators disintegrated, and “significant distrust” formed between the two.  

Over the last week, many legislators, including Senator Mark Koran (R- North Branch), have come forward to express concern with Ham, urging for her resignation. The New House Republican Caucus even formally encouraged Governor Tim Walz to request her resignation.

Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles and Republican legislators have also proposed that the Office of Inspector General should become a separate and independent entity within the state in order to ensure transparency.

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Megan Olson

Megan Olson is a 2020 graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in political science and history. She works in public affairs in addition to serving on the Legislative Advisory Council for School District 196. She is also on the school board for FIT academy, a charter school in Apple Valley.