Minn. Stat. § 280.05: PROHIBITED PURCHASERS.

A county auditor, county treasurer, court administrator of the district court, or county assessor, or deputy or clerk or employee of such officer, and a commissioner for tax-forfeited lands or assistant to such commissioner, may not purchase at such sale, or procure an assignment of the right acquired by the state in lands bid in for it at such sale, as in this chapter provided in sections 280.06 to 280.11, either personally, or as agent or attorney for any other person, except that such officer, deputy, court administrator, employee or commissioner for tax-forfeited lands or assistant to such commissioner, if an owner or lienholder of the lands, may purchase the lands, or procure such assignment of the state's right in such lands.