Minneapolis Audit Flags $36 Million Fraud Risk in Violence-Prevention Contracts After George Floyd
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 29
Minneapolis Audit Flags $36 Million Fraud Risk in Violence-Prevention Contracts After George Floyd
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 29
Summary
A Minneapolis audit found the city failed to adequately oversee more than $36 million spent since 2023 on five violence-prevention programs, creating heightened risk of fraud and improper payments.
The review of 2020-2025 spending said contractors often filed invoices with scant documentation, the city paid despite missing records or unresolved concerns, and site visits were not standardized or consistently documented.
More than 100 contracts were awarded to community groups as alternatives to policing after George Floyd's 2020 death, and the audit said weak controls also affected invoice reviews, record retention, contractor communications and escalation procedures.
The audit did not cite a proven fraud case, but critics said the findings fit Minnesota's broader pattern after scandals such as Feeding Our Future and fraudulent Medicaid programs exposed weak on-site verification.
Minneapolis said it welcomed the recommendations, noted the audit scope was expanded, and said the Neighborhood Safety Department has already taken steps to strengthen processes and contract oversight.