A recent investigation by Digging Dirt with Peter D'Abrosca has uncovered potential connections between the Minnesota Department of Administration and China.

The report focuses on Linda Mealey-Lohmann, a mediation attorney serving on the Grant Review Committee for the Office of Community Dispute Resolutions, a program within the department overseen by Governor Tim Walz.

Mealey-Lohmann, who chairs the mediation section of the Minnesota State Bar Association and co-authored the state's mediation handbook, has a history of involvement with China-related organizations.

Her ties to China extend beyond her professional work in mediation, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest within the state government.

Mediation Attorney's Extensive China Connections

Linda Mealey-Lohmann's connections to China are multifaceted. According to a 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers Magazine article, part of her mediation practice focuses on Chinese parties involved in employment and business disputes.

Additionally, she co-founded a nonprofit organization called the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society.

The society, established in 2005, aims to construct a 1.8-acre, multimillion-dollar garden in St. Paul's Phalen Park.

Mealey-Lohmann's involvement with China dates back to 1982 when she was among the first batch of tourists to visit the country after the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

Peter D'Abrosca, the investigative journalist behind the report, states:

I've learned through my investigations that any group with the words "China" and "Friendship" should raise red flags. These suspect "friendship" groups involve regular contact with the Communist Chinese, and are, in many cases, flagged by U.S. Intelligence as part of China's ongoing efforts to infiltrate the United States.

Connections To Controversial Organizations

The investigation reveals that Mealey-Lohmann co-founded the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society with CC Hsiao, who passed away in 2009.

Hsiao's obituary noted his role as the Director of the Minnesota Chapter of the U.S.-China People's Friendship Association (USCPFA).

The USCPFA has been a subject of interest for the FBI due to its close relationship with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Notably, Governor Tim Walz is currently under congressional investigation for his ties to the CPAFFC.

Differing Missions And Objectives

The Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society's mission, as stated on its English-language website, appears benign. It aims to establish China Friendship Gardens in Minnesota to promote friendship and understanding between the peoples of China and Minnesota.

However, the Chinese version of the organization's website presents a more expansive set of goals. These include:

Be a symbol of Minnesota's longstanding friendship with China and a recognition of its sister-city relationships
Promote Minnesota's understanding of China and of China's rich cultural heritage
Serve as a recognition of the contributions of the Chinese American community to the Twin Cities
Serve to enhance people's connection to and appreciation of nature
Build a cultural bridge that will boost international trade and tourism between China and Minnesota

Implications For State Administration

The presence of an individual with such extensive ties to China-related organizations on a state government committee raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Mealey-Lohmann's role on the Grant Review Committee for the Office of Community Dispute Resolutions, which offers significant taxpayer-funded grants, adds to these concerns.

The investigation by Peter D'Abrosca has brought to light the complex web of connections between Minnesota state officials and China-related organizations.

Linda Mealey-Lohmann's extensive involvement with China, her role in founding the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society, and her position on a state government committee have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. As the story develops, it may prompt further scrutiny of the relationships between state officials and foreign-linked organizations.