Hennepin County reported suspected fraud pattern. Months later, sheriff’s office awaits records to start investigation

Hennepin County says suspected fake applicants attempted to steal taxpayer money, but the sheriff’s office says it still does not have the records needed to start investigating.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS previously reported that Hennepin County staff found what County Commissioner Jeffrey Lunde called “fraudulent patterns” among applications for a small business recovery grant fund that the county since shut down. Commissioner Lunde said no taxpayer dollars were actually doled out to suspected fraudsters, but county staff asked the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to review whether apparent fake applicants could face criminal charges.

“As we turn this over to the sheriff’s department for investigation, eventually over to the co...