[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced that Tim O’Malley will join the state as Director of Program Integrity. A judge, former superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), former FBI agent, and reformer in the archdiocese, O’Malley will work across state government to strengthen fraud prevention and protect taxpayer dollars. Governor Walz also announced a state partnership with third party experts at WayPoint to implement a statewide fraud prevention program.

“I’m proud to announce that Tim O’Malley is joining our team to lead the charge in fighting fraud against Minnesota taxpayers. Today we are building on the work of the last several years and strengthening Minnesota’s defenses against fraud,” said Governor Walz. “If you commit fraud in Minnesota, you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“I’m honored to have been asked by the Governor to assist with combating fraud. But know that I’m not here to serve the governor or any individual person or political party. I’m here to serve the people of Minnesota,” said Judge O’Malley. “Years ago, I served our state through an appointment under Governor Tim Pawlenty, and now I welcome the opportunity to serve under Governor Walz. No one has any tolerance for fraud. This issue must be addressed aggressively. Minnesotans must have trust in our public institutions.” 

WayPoint, Inc. is a Minnesota-based professional service firm of former law enforcement and federal special agents, specializing in forensic accounting, financial investigations, due diligence, business risk mitigation, health care compliance and investigations, and tax litigation support. WayPoint professionals investigate, analyze, and provide solutions for complex financial and business issues.

WayPoint will advise the development of: 

• Consistent investigative and reporting policies and procedures across state agencies;
• A fraud prevention program that can be implemented across state agencies;
• Formalized data sharing amongst state agencies in alignment with federal and state law to more quickly identify those committing fraud across multiple state programs; and
• Specialized skills and/or positions needed for agencies to review, audit, and investigate state program fraud.

The appointment of Tim O’Malley follows numerous actions taken by the state over the last several years to detect and prevent fraud. Through executive action, bipartisan efforts at the state legislature, and collaboration with state agencies and outside experts, Governor Walz has and continues to take action to identify fraud and hold accountable those who illegally take advantage of state programs designed to help Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations. “Fraud is not just a financial loss. It disrupts lives, harms families and undermines confidence in the programs Minnesotans rely on,” said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans. “Our Financial Crimes and Fraud Section is focused on working with local, state and federal partners on criminal investigations that hold offenders accountable and we’re working with the Office of Inspector General Coordinating Counsel to develop stronger barriers and stop fraud before it occurs.”

“Minnesota Department of Human Services has no tolerance for fraud, waste or abuse of government resources,” said Shireen Gandhi, Minnesota Department of Human Services Temporary Commissioner. “We are intently focused on solutions – strengthening program integrity, tightening oversight of services, and hardening our programs against attacks by criminals. Our job is to protect Minnesotans who need services. Their lives shouldn’t be a political football and we need to maximize every dollar that goes toward programs to help them.”

Tim O’Malley is currently the interim chief judge of the Court of Administrative Hearings and the former superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension under Governor Tim Pawlenty. In 2014, O’Malley was appointed director of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, leading nationally recognized work in child protection and clergy accountability. O’Malley will begin his work as the state’s Director of Program Integrity next month.