local
AG’s office suspending conviction review unit due to federal government not renewing grant
By Ashley Halbach at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 1, 2026
· 3 min read
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says this office will be suspending the Conviction Review Unit (CRU) after the federal government would not renew the grant for the program.
Ellison says that they can’t make it financially work to fund the program with the office’s current budget const...
Key takeaway RELATED: Minnesota Attorney General’s Office laying off 17 employees, rising costs a factor The Conviction Review Unit started taking applications in 2021 after getting a $300,000 federal grant in 2020 for the program.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The suspension of the Conviction Review Unit in the Minnesota Attorney General's office has significant implications for the local community, particularly those who may have been wrongfully convicted. The unit's work, although limited by budget constraints, has been praised as a model for conviction integrity. Its suspension may leave a gap in the justice system, where cases that deserve review may go unexamined. The fact that the unit has already issued four public reports, including in-depth analyses of cases like Brian Pippitt and Edgar Varrientos, demonstrates the importance of its work. As the office lays off staff members due to budget constraints, it remains to be seen how the suspension of the CRU will affect the community's trust in the justice system. The local community will be watching to see if alternative funding sources or partnerships can be found to revive the unit's critical work.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Minneapolis stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says this office will be suspending the Conviction Review Unit (CRU) after the federal government would not renew the grant for the program.
Ellison says that they can’t make it financially work to fund the program with the office’s current budget const...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ashley Halbach at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter