Minnesota DHS shakeup: Shireen Gandhi removed as commissioner

ST. PAUL (KVRR/FOX9) — A sudden shakeup at Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, which is at the center of fraud investigations.

Shireen Gandhi, the woman Gov. Tim Walz tapped to lead the agency, is being replaced by John Connolly on a temporary basis.

He is the state’s Medicaid director who oversees policy across key service areas and leading Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.

He has asked Gandhi to remain on as deputy commissioner to oversee Medicaid programming.

Gandhi has worked in DHS since 2017 and was temporary commissioner for the past 15 months.

Some people have questioned her role in stopping fraud at the agency.

The shakeup comes as DHS has faced intense scrutiny in recent months over its handling of Minnesota’s fraud response.

It also comes days after the FBI raided nearly two dozen businesses across the Twin Cities related to ongoing Medicaid fraud investigations.

In a statement Monday afternoon, Republican lawmakers pointed out the shakeup came one day before Gandhi was due to face a confirmation hearing.

Now, due to the fact that she has been removed as commissioner, that hearing has been canceled.