The Alaska State Ombudsman has issued investigative reports and recommendations on many significant issues.
Here are some historical highlights.


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A slough in Alaska
Map of the proposed Deltana Borough

Ombudsman Frank Flavin appeared on Alaska Review in 1977 to talk about an investigation of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Ombudsman Frank Flavin issued a report in 1981 on the need for a State Ethics Commission and code of conduct for public officials.



Ombudsman Jack Chenowith investigated the Alaska Pioneer Homes in 1982 and found that the agency had no policy or procedure for evicting a resident fairly or with due process.

Ombudsman Jack Chenowith issued a report in 1985 finding that the State of Alaska must pay for Medicare premiums for low-income Alaskans.



Ombudsman Duncan Fowler investigated the State's dairy farming project at Pt.Mackenzie in 1990. He found that the project was predicated on unrealistic development timetables, capital requirements and market conditions. He found that public funds were illegally disbursed to some farmers and there was evidence of favoritism by the agency. He concluded that the State unnecessarily discriminated against Point Mackenzie farmers in restructuring project loans and in settling litigation. Fowler made 20 recommendations to resolve the complaints.





Ombudsman Stuart Hall investigated a veteran's loan program run by the Department of Natural Resources in 1995. He found that DNR had overcharged 36 veterans who obtained land during a 1983 land lottery about $240,000. DNR accepted this finding. The Ombudsman recommended that DNR share the findings with the Legislature, which ultimately agreed and approved reimbursing the veterans.




Ombudsman Linda Lord-Jenkins investigated the Local Boundary Commission after receiving complaints about the process considering a petition to create a new borough in Deltana. She found the allegations about deficits in the process justified and recommended that the LBC pend the petition to collect more evidence and public comment. The LBC rejected this recommendation, but later amended its regulations to allow the LBC more latitude to reconsideration its decisions.

In 2011, Ombudsman Linda Lord-Jenkins recommended a complete overhaul of the OCS grievance process that included rewriting regulations to make it easier for OCS employees and citizens to understand and follow the grievance process.