ROCHESTER — The number of public assistance fraud investigations has been on the rise in Olmsted County.
It’s not necessarily due to there being more fraud. It reflects an increase in county resources focused on the issue.
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“Up until about six months ago, I was the only investigator we had,” said Mike Rentz, who has been investigating fraud cases linked to public assistance in Olmsted County for 29 years.
While cases involving service providers have topped news reports in the past year, Rentz primarily focuses on cases involving individuals suspected of receiving more public support than they are due.
Olmsted County Director of Family Support and Assistance Meridee Braun said the difference rests on who directly oversees the funding, with state agencies licensing and reimbursing service providers and the county handling direct support for individuals receiving…
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