By Robert Williams

Editor

Becker County Commissioners agreed to terminate the county’s partnership with the F5 Project, which supports justice-involved individuals through opioid and substance use recovery, during the bimonthly meeting of commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The partnership began in September of 2025 and Detroit Lakes was the first and only Minnesota office. F5 has nine offices in North Dakota.

In July, F5 participants appeared online and in-person to share their experiences and successes in the program with commissioners.

At the time, there were 84 referrals and approximately 70 participants served across the county and the partnership was renewed for a second year.

On Tuesday, County Administrator Carrie Smith announced she had drafted an official letter, with the county attorney, to withdraw from the contract.

“There have been some developments with F5 and in my communication with Probation they had made the decision to sever ties with  the partnership they had with F5,” Smith said. “I want to acknowledge that the work being done, you’ve heard some of the testimony of those individuals that received the service. However, in light of things we have heard, it would be, in my opinion, in our best interest at this time to discontinue our partnership.”

She did not provide any specifics as to what she announced as things having been heard.

The contract between the two parties does allow for the county to withdraw from the contract with notice.

“Our team is disappointed,” said Minnesota Department of Corrections Program Director Wade Erickson. “This isn’t the situation that we wanted to have transpire. I want to hit heavy on the fact that our relationship with F5 and our peer support people that have been in our community, working with our clients, have done some extreme work, great work.”

In late September, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced a consumer protection and financial misconduct investigation into F5. The investigation by the state substantiated allegations of illegal self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and misuse of charitable funds by the organization’s founder and former CEO Adam Martin, and Chief Development Officer Scott College.

The investigation uncovered unlawful personal wage-advance loans, real estate self-dealing, revenues from unregistered charitable gambling and members of leadership used organization resources for perks like hockey tickets, a golf membership, and a chartered Alaskan trip, while  the non-profit faced deficits and had frozen staff pay.

Erickson discussed the positive aspects of the project, including aiding clients with housing, employment, reducing probation violation hearings and program completion.

“It’s been very significant and we don’t want to lose that model,” Erickson said. “With the board’s patience, we are actively looking at pursuing other avenues for the peer support model to continue in Becker County. It’s that important to us and we’ve seen the great results.”

Erickson explained those intentions as moving forward with a new agency or a different perspective as alternatives.

“I think peer support is a great program for those on probation,” Board Chair Erica Jepson said. “It is unfortunate that we are where we are because I think that they did good work, but the news was disheartening to read the news about them.”

Commissioners voted unanimously to terminate the contract with notice.

Human Services Director Denise Warren, who was next on the meeting agenda, said she disagreed with the decision to terminate the contract, calling it “premature.”

Warren is part of the review committee of the opioid settlement advisory council that made the decision. She noted the county had 30 days to exit the contract.

“We’re concerned about what this effect this will have on the 60-some clients who are currently being helped by these support people,” Warren said. “We were not consulted at all when the advisory council and review team drafted the contract. We’re exiting a contract and we didn’t even develop any of these people. That’s my concern. Becker County Probation made their decision and that’s great but they didn’t draft the contract. We didn’t even have a chance to vet any ideas going forward.”

Warren closed stating she wished the committee would have had their own input and time to develop a recourse.

“We’re not concerned that there was any fraudulent activity with Becker County,” said Jepson. “I appreciate and agree that they have done a good job, I do think that this is the best thing for Becker County. I do hope that we can continue to find another peer support program for probation because I do also worry about the 60 clients that they have been providing services. Those people that were on the ground working with them, it is in no way shows the work that they did. They were doing excellent work with our clients.” 

Warren continued her discussion with the board noting she had time to share her personal opinion but was concerned that the advisory council or review team were not involved or consulted. 

When asked by Hansen on what she wanted, Warren asked for more time to vet the contract, options, and what will happen with current clients and referrals.

The board elected not to change its earlier motion and decision.