County ahead of curve with fraud prevention
News | Published on December 30, 2025 at 4:16pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0Commissioners express thanks for fraud prevention efforts
By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent
County commissioners, on Dec. 16, expressed thanks to county department heads and employees who have adhered to fraud prevention efforts for many years. This is a hot topic right now in light of fraud charges in the state of Minnesota.
Otter Tail County has processes in keeping fraud in check: staff training, prevention protocols, referrals to the county attorney’s office, criminal charges and financial recoupment.
“We follow up when something seems strange or out of place,” said County Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom. “Most of the people we work with have no desire to commit fraud, and oftentimes we catch human errors when mistakes take place.”
But when there is blatant fraud, the county gets right to work in holding people accountable.
“County employee training is key to recognizing what could possibly result in fraud,” said County Attorney Michelle Eldien. “We work closely with our fraud investigator Jeff Edwards.”
County Administrator Nicole Hansen, referring to prevention protocols, said that during the covid years of 2020 and 2021 Otter Tail County diligently submitted detailed reports on how covid money was used throughout the county.
“We in county government have done our best to correct something before things get out of control,” said County Board Chairman Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids. “I know my fellow commissioners also agree with me in commending our county employees who work each and every day with integrity.”
Sjostrom, in response to a question from County Commissioner Sean Sullivan of Fergus Falls concerning human services contracts, said she and employees under her supervision keep a close watch on third parties who assist the county in providing needed services in Otter Tail County.
Over the years, note county board members, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an example of a program working well in Otter Tail County. They add that abuse of the program is almost non-existent, due to county employees keeping a watchful eye on possible fraud.
Eldien, as county attorney, is working with state Sen. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls on how to streamline dollars that come from the state to county government. Making good and ethical use of public resources is the bottom line, they emphasize.