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Audit finds $4 million in missing records from North Dakota Development Fund; Attorney General declines investigation citing conflict of interest

Updated Oct 28, 9:37 PM CT. Every fact below links to the source that reported it.

What the primary sources show

An audit identified $4 million in missing or incomplete records from the North Dakota Development Fund. [KFYR-TV]
The Development Fund provides financing to businesses that cannot obtain funding from regular banks or investors. [KFYR-TV]
Attorney General Drew Wrigley declined to investigate after the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee requested it, citing a conflict of interest because his office represents individuals on the Development Fund Board of Directors. [KFYR-TV] [North Dakota's Watchdog Update]
Packet Digital has been the largest recipient of Development Fund money and also received $50 million in federal procurement dollars in 2025. [North Dakota's Watchdog Update]
Democrats have criticized the situation as waste and fraud by Republican leadership and are calling for their candidates to take the attorney general seat. [KFYR-TV]

What specific uses or allocations comprised the $4 million in missing or incomplete records?
What is the outcome or further status of the legislative audit and are any other investigations underway?
Which other companies besides Packet Digital received Development Fund financing and in what amounts?

KFYR-TV: KFYR-TV reports on the conflict of interest preventing investigation and the Democratic opposition, with Attorney General Wrigley facing reelection against Democrat Tim Lamb. Read it → · Ads
North Dakota's Watchdog Update: North Dakota's Watchdog offers critical commentary characterizing the fund as corporate welfare and a 'front operation' with insufficient oversight until audits reveal problems. Read it →

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