Fraud is historically pervasive around the country. This deep dive starts with a case involving Minnesota immigrants in the 1920s, and ends with modern-day legislation and support so the attorney general's office can increase its staff to levels comparable to other states in being able to convict more people of fraud. The office has convicted 350 people of fraud since 2019, including those involving personal-care agencies, housing services, and autism treatment programs.

When I began this work nearly 59 years ago, the landscape was very different. We demolished large amounts of low-cost housing and built office buildings, many of which now sit underused or vacant. At the same time, we began to shift our mental health system, but we failed to build the housing and supports necessary to make that transition successful.

Early results of the pilot program have been successful. Of the 127 people referred for social work services through September 2024, 85 of them were not involved in new cases — 67 percent.

For the second year in a row, equal rights in Minnesota was pushed off by legislators until the final day of session — and did not get a final vote.