U.S. Labor Dept. to review Minnesota’s unemployment insurance program

WASHINGTON (KVRR) – A U.S. Department of Labor strike team will travel to Minnesota to conduct a “targeted review” of Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Program following recent discoveries of widespread fraud in the state’s benefits programs.

A letter to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development cites concerns that recent reports of fraud, waste, and abuse might compromise the integrity of the state’s unemployment insurance program.

“I am appalled at what we are hearing about potential fraud coming from numerous benefits programs in Minnesota,” said Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

“If there has been any related abuse of our UI systems, it will not be tolerated, and I trust our specialized strike team to get to the bottom of this and report their findings directly to me.”

The letter also requested the state provide “critical documents” to the Labor Department’s strike team.