MN Senators put hearings for 2 agency chiefs on hold

01/27/2007

DFL legislators' questions about Michael Campion and Carol Molnau may lead to tensions with Gov. Pawlenty.


By Conrad Defiebre,
Star Tribune
Last update: January 27, 2007


State Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion's job could be on the line after the reassignment of the longtime chief of the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force that a state senator said Friday involved "a possible abuse of power" by Campion.

"Before the Senate considers confirming Mr. Campion's appointment ... the public has a right to know how he is running the department and what approach he's taking to investigate identity-theft cases," said Sen. Satveer Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley.

Campion defended the removal of Minneapolis police Sgt. Chris Abbas from the task force. Abbas had headed the task force for more than six years.

Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan, Abbas' superior, said he reassigned Abbas in response to "issues raised by Commissioner Campion and others about the direction and leadership of the task force."

Following the reassignment last week, two investigators quit the task force and dozens of bankers, business people and police officers signed protest petitions. But Campion said others in law enforcement and business have echoed his unspecified concerns over what he called a lack of "transparency and accountability" in managing the unit.

The controversy erupted on the same day that another DFL state senator, Steve Murphy of Red Wing, said he would not hold a confirmation hearing for Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau as transportation commissioner because she probably would be rejected.

The developments cast a cloud over both commissioners and could signal a turn for the worse in relations between the DFL-controlled Legislature and the administration of Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, barely three weeks into his second term in office.

Until now, Senate confirmation hearings for the governor's top appointees have been "positive and respectful," said Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung, adding: "Our commissioners have strong records, and we're happy for the opportunity to discuss them with the Senate."

Hearings off the agenda

Murphy, however, said the Transportation Committee he heads would not take up Molnau's confirmation because it would only exacerbate deep divisions over transportation policy and "even if we threw her out, it's not going to do any good." Commissioners may stay in the job as long as they are not rejected by the full Senate.

A confirmation hearing for Campion before the Senate Judiciary Committee had been set for Tuesday, but the chairwoman, Sen. Mee Moua, DFL-St. Paul, said it would be rescheduled because Campion could not attend. She said she had heard no complaints about him until Friday, but would consider Chaudhary's concerns.

Chaudhary said Abbas' reassignment after more than six years at the head of the task force may leave Minnesotans more vulnerable to identity theft and other financial crimes.

"We need more, not fewer, talented people working on these cases," he said.

With an annual budget of more than $900,000, the unit draws officers from several law enforcement agencies. A 16-member oversight board, including Chaudhary and Campion, sets its policies. Its funding flows through Campion's Department of Public Safety.

"We have an obligation to see that the money's going where it's supposed to go," Campion said Friday.

Abbas, who all parties agree is a top-notch financial crimes investigator, could not be reached for comment Friday. Anoka County Attorney Robert Johnson, chairman of the oversight board, said Abbas has returned to his post temporarily while a successor is being chosen. Dolan, meanwhile, said he has offered to send Abbas back to the task force permanently as an investigator if the new commander agrees.

A meeting of the board was abruptly adjourned Monday when members objected to Campion's proposal that they interview candidates he suggested for the job that day.

"We will be posting the position next week with police chiefs and sheriffs groups and hope to have a new commander in place in a month," Johnson said. "Chris is an extraordinarily good investigator. He is perhaps less skilled on a policy level. The task force might be stronger if we utilized people's skills in a different manner."