Convicted Felon Lands Top Role in Walz’s Education Department

Written by Matthew Peterson.

In a startling revelation, a Kenyan national with a felony sexual assault conviction has risen to a senior position within Minnesota’s Department of Education under Governor Tim Walz. Wilson Nduri Tindi, aged 42, was appointed director of Internal Audit and Advisory Services in December 2023, despite a 2016 conviction for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from a 2014 incident in Minneapolis. This case, coupled with his immigration history and a recent arrest for driving under the influence, raises serious questions about the state’s hiring practices and oversight. The situation has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability, highlighting broader issues of governance and public safety in Minnesota.

Criminal Conviction and State Employment

Wilson Tindi’s criminal history began with a disturbing incident on November 23, 2014, when he unlawfully entered a woman’s apartment in Minneapolis and sexually assaulted a guest sleeping there. Court records indicate that Tindi touched the victim inappropriately while she slept, only stopping when she awoke. A fingerprint found at the scene conclusively linked him to the crime, despite his initial claim of remaining in his own apartment that night. In a plea deal, Tindi admitted guilt to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, resulting in the dismissal of a first-degree burglary charge. He received a two-year sentence, stayed for five years, and was required to serve 210 days in a workhouse while registering as a predatory offender.

Despite this serious conviction, Tindi secured employment with the Minnesota state government, starting as a principal auditor in 2018 and later advancing to chief audit officer at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency before his promotion to the Department of Education. His role involved overseeing internal audits, risk management, and compliance, critical functions that demand public trust. The fact that a registered sex offender was entrusted with such responsibilities raises concerns about the rigor of background checks, a challenge familiar to professionals tasked with ensuring organizational integrity.

Court documents also reveal a prior uncharged allegation from 2012, where Tindi was accused of a similar assault, suggesting a pattern of behavior. Prosecutors used this incident as Spreigl evidence to strengthen the 2014 case. The Minnesota Department of Education’s failure to address Tindi’s history before his promotion has drawn scrutiny, particularly as his online bio was removed from the agency’s website following media inquiries in June 2025, indicating an attempt to distance the department from the controversy.

Immigration Challenges and Legal Maneuvers

Tindi’s immigration history further complicates his case. Entering the U.S. in 2005 on a B-2 visitor visa, he overstayed his six-month authorization and applied for permanent residency, which was denied in 2007. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated removal proceedings in 2008, and an immigration judge ordered his deportation in 2009. However, this order was reversed in 2011, granting Tindi lawful permanent resident status in April 2014, months before his criminal act. Following his 2016 conviction, ICE again sought his removal, detaining him in August 2016. Tindi appealed, and in May 2017, the Board of Immigration Appeals upheld the removal order.

Undeterred, Tindi filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that prolonged detention without deportation violated his rights. In February 2018, Federal Judge David Doty granted the petition, citing insufficient evidence that Tindi posed a flight risk or danger to the community, despite acknowledging his felony conviction. This decision allowed Tindi’s release after 18 months in ICE custody, enabling him to remain in the U.S. and pursue state employment. In May 2025, Tindi attempted to vacate his guilty plea, claiming his attorney failed to warn him of immigration consequences, but withdrew the petition in June, acknowledging its low likelihood of success.

The immigration saga underscores the complexities of balancing legal protections with public safety, a dilemma professionals in legal and compliance fields often navigate. Tindi’s ability to avoid deportation despite a felony conviction highlights gaps in the system that allowed him to secure high-level state employment.

Recent Legal Troubles and Public Backlash

Tindi’s legal issues extend beyond his 2016 conviction. In June 2025, he was arrested for driving while intoxicated, refusing a field sobriety test, and faced three misdemeanor charges with a $12,000 bail. He posted bond and was released on June 10. This incident, reported widely, intensified public criticism, particularly as it coincided with revelations about his role in the Department of Education. Social media platforms have been abuzz with outrage, with many questioning how a convicted felon with a recent arrest could hold a sensitive position overseeing taxpayer funds.

The Minnesota Department of Education has remained silent, with no response to inquiries about Tindi’s hiring or continued employment. His profile’s removal from the agency’s website suggests an effort to mitigate reputational damage, but it has not quelled public demands for accountability. The case has fueled broader debates about Governor Tim Walz’s administration, with critics pointing to a pattern of controversial decisions, including policies perceived as lenient toward criminal offenders. For professionals in governance, this scenario mirrors the challenges of maintaining public trust when internal oversights are exposed.

The public’s reaction reflects a broader sentiment of distrust in institutional hiring practices. A 2024 survey indicated that 65% of Minnesotans prioritize transparency in government hiring, and Tindi’s case has amplified calls for stricter vetting processes. The lack of clarity on whether the Department of Education or Pollution Control Agency knew of Tindi’s criminal history at the time of his hiring adds to the controversy, raising questions about systemic failures in background checks.

Implications for Minnesota’s Governance

The Tindi case has sparked a reevaluation of Minnesota’s hiring practices, particularly for roles with significant public responsibility. The Minnesota Department of Education, tasked with overseeing the state’s public schools, serves over 870,000 students and manages a $9 billion budget. Entrusting a high-level position to an individual with a felony sexual assault conviction undermines confidence in the agency’s judgment. The Minnesota Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on criminal history in some contexts, does not mandate hiring individuals with serious convictions for sensitive roles, highlighting a discretionary failure in this instance.

Furthermore, the case intersects with broader immigration policy debates. Tindi’s successful avoidance of deportation, despite multiple ICE orders, points to judicial leniency that critics argue prioritizes legal technicalities over public safety. The Protecting our Communities from Sexual Predators Act (H.R. 134), passed in 2024, mandates detention and deportation for criminal aliens convicted of sexual assault, yet Tindi’s release in 2018 and subsequent employment reveal enforcement gaps. This situation resonates with professionals who navigate regulatory compliance, where policy intent often clashes with practical outcomes.

Governor Walz, already under scrutiny for his administration’s progressive policies, faces political fallout as the 2026 midterms approach. Polls from 2024 show 55% of Minnesota voters disapprove of lax oversight in state agencies, and Tindi’s case could further erode public support. The controversy also dovetails with national discussions about immigration enforcement, with 60% of Americans favoring stricter deportation policies for criminal offenders, according to a 2024 survey. The Minnesota Department of Education’s silence and Tindi’s removal from their website suggest an acknowledgment of the issue’s severity, but tangible reforms remain elusive.

Our Take

The appointment of Wilson Tindi to a senior role in Minnesota’s Department of Education, despite his felony sexual assault conviction, represents a profound lapse in oversight that undermines public trust. The failure to conduct thorough background checks, coupled with Tindi’s ability to evade deportation, exposes systemic weaknesses in both state hiring practices and immigration enforcement. While Minnesota’s progressive policies aim to balance inclusivity with public safety, this case illustrates the risks of prioritizing second chances over accountability in sensitive positions. Governor Walz’s administration must address these failures transparently to restore confidence and prevent similar oversights, particularly as public scrutiny intensifies ahead of future elections.