Otter Tail County Recoups Millions in Collections Process

County employees recover $1.78 million in 2025 through fraud prevention efforts and recouping public assistance overpayments.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:33pm

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Otter Tail County in Minnesota has an ongoing process to recoup money related to public assistance, long-term care medical assistance, and other county-assessed fees. In 2025, county employees recovered $1.78 million, up from $970,012 in 2024 and $807,622 in 2023. The county credits staff training, prevention protocols, referrals to the county attorney's office, criminal charges, and financial recoupment for their success in keeping fraud in check.

Why it matters

Fraud prevention and recouping overpayments are critical issues for county governments, especially in light of recent high-profile fraud cases in Minnesota. Otter Tail County's proactive approach demonstrates how diligent oversight and strong internal controls can help protect public resources.

The details

Otter Tail County employees follow up when something seems strange or out of place, recognizing that most people they work with have no desire to commit fraud, and they often catch human errors. However, when there is blatant fraud, the county works to hold people accountable through staff training, referrals to the county attorney's office, criminal charges, and financial recoupment.

  • In 2025, Otter Tail County recovered $1.78 million through the collections process.
  • In 2024, the county recouped $970,012.
  • In 2023, the total dollars recovered amounted to $807,622.

The players

Michelle Eldien

Otter Tail County Attorney who reported on the county's fraud prevention efforts and collections process to county commissioners.

Deb Sjostrom

Otter Tail County Human Services Director who noted that most people they work with have no desire to commit fraud, and they often catch human errors.

Jordan Rasmusson

State Senator from Fergus Falls who is working with County Attorney Eldien on how to streamline dollars that come from the state to county government.

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What they’re saying

“We in Otter Tail County have processes in keeping fraud in check. These include staff training, prevention protocols, referrals to the county attorney's office, criminal charges and financial recoupment.”

— Michelle Eldien, Otter Tail County Attorney

“Most of the people we work with have no desire to commit fraud, and oftentimes we catch human errors when mistakes take place.”

— Deb Sjostrom, Otter Tail County Human Services Director

What’s next

County Attorney Eldien is working with State Senator Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls on how to streamline dollars that come from the state to county government, with the goal of making good and ethical use of public resources.

The takeaway

Otter Tail County's proactive approach to fraud prevention and collections demonstrates how diligent oversight and strong internal controls can help protect public resources at the county level, even as fraud remains a persistent challenge for government agencies across Minnesota.