Dayton calls for probe of Revenue Department

Posted at 7:41 PM on January 7, 2011 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Mark Dayton

Gov. Mark Dayton is calling on the Legislative Auditor to review the internal controls at the Minnesota Department of Revenue after charges were filed against an employee who is allegedly responsible for more than 200 fraudulent tax refund payments, totaling approximately $1.9 million.

The U.S. Attorney's office filed charges today against an auditor with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Pamela Marie Dellis of Lindstrom was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of money laundering. Her sister, Nancy T. Sondrall and her niece Laurie R. Sondrall of Minneapolis, also were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud for their roles in the scheme. The U.S. Attorneys office says the three committed the acts between January of 2005 and September of 2010.

In a news release, Dayton said he wants the Legislative Auditor to review the Revenue Department's internal controls to ensure the problem doesn't happen again.

"I am mindful of the warnings the Legislative Auditor has issued previously that the management of certain state agencies lacks the necessary oversight and controls to prevent the misuse of public money. The people of Minnesota deserve accountability and vigorous oversight of our taxpayer dollars," Dayton said in the release.

Here's Dayton's letter to Legislative Auditor James Nobles:

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories