Golden Valley DMV Reopens

The Golden Valley DMV reopened Wednesday morning after being closed for more than a year.

after an employee, , was arrested and charged with three felonies, including theft by swindle, theft of public funds and failure to pay over state funds.

Golden Valley Police first learned of Olson when a coworker contacted them with suspicions related to registrations and financial transactions Olson handled. Prosecutors believe a car dealer in Spring Lake Park paid Olson $200 a week to fraudulently stamp state title applications and registrations so the dealer could obtain loans. In the criminal complaint, prosecutors list 18 vehicles in which they believe Olson stamped the applications as “paid” but didn’t record them in the department’s computer system.

Olson’s arrest led to a full-scale audit of the Golden Valley DMV. Golden Valley Finance Director Sue Virnig says the entire transaction process has been overhauled, with a new computer program that tracks every movement.

“In the past we had an old cash register system with a tape that we checked at the end of each day,” she said. “Now we have new software, new policies and all new employees.”

New procedures specifically outlining how employees will handle transactions with dealers were written down and added to the city’s handbooks. Each of the four new employees had to sign the new guidelines before beginning work.

“We’ve worked really hard with the auditors and with the Driver and Vehicle Services (a branch of MN Department of Safety) to make sure things are working smoothly for opening day,” Virnig said. “We’re excited to move forward and offer a service to the city of Golden Valley once again.” 

The Golden Valley DMV is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.