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E-Mail From Minn. Senator's Office Spurs Complaint

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A Republican state senator faces an ethics complaint after an e-mail said he wouldn't meet with his election rival's supporters.

Three Democrats requested an ethics panel hearing Thursday, accusing Sen. Scott Newman of breaking Senate rules and endangering its reputation.

The e-mail sent last week by Newman's legislative assistant rejected a request to meet with nurses from the Minnesota Nurses Association, which endorsed his opponent. The message said Newman wouldn't meet with groups that donated to or backed his rival.

The complaint signed by Sen. Sandy Pappas and two colleagues alleges that the e-mail was at Newman's direction.

Newman has said the e-mail was a mistake and doesn't reflect his policy on meetings. Senate GOP spokesman Michael Brodkorb says Newman wasn't aware of the message but accepted responsibility and apologized.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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