Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles Appointed to New Six Year Term

On a voice vote Friday, November, 15, the Legislative Audit Commission appointed Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles to another six year term. Nobles first assumed the role in 1983, and in recent months, has exercised oversight of several high-profile audits, including the unauthorized payments to Minnesota Indian Tribes for self-administered opioid treatments; mismanagement of the state's vehicle registration and licensing system (MNLARS); and fraudulent claims in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

The commission also approved the appointments of Christopher Buse as Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Financial Audit Division and Judy Randall as Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Program Evaluation Division.

Nobles' reappointment was opposed by Representative Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, who cited systemic management and financial problems in state agencies over the past several years that should have been identified by the auditor. She also expressed concern over media reports featuring Nobles' comments on recent audits. "I'm concerned that the auditor's interest in the use of publicity to promote the visibility of the office of the auditor, and the auditor himself, is interfering with [the office's] independence."

In support of Noble's reappointment, Senator Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, said that the office "...is not broken. In fact, it is functioning very well." She added, "Sometimes the [audit] report itself generates media. My gosh, it's the result of the report..."