Orono City Council member Matt Johnson has been embroiled in controversy since he received public right of way land from the City of Orono in 2022 for free via a handful of Orono City Council members. Also adding to the controversy is that apparently Mayor Dennis Walsh paid for Mr. Johnson’s campaign materials to run for Orono City Council prior to the land donation. Complaints have been filed with the Minnesota State Auditor’s office due to the fact that Mr. Johnson is a sitting Council member and this transaction appears to break Minnesota State Statute.