WCCO EYE4 LOGO WCCO Radio

Latest News

Police: Rep. Admitted To Rest Stop Sex Acts With Teen, 17

View Comments
Today's Most Popular Video
Minn. Teen Loses 165 Pounds, Becomes Inspiration For Others Online Video Captures Woman Stealing Planter From Stillwater Brewery MIMMI Art Tracks Our Mood On Social Media Wood Ducks Take 1st Leap In Elbow Lake Is Minneapolis On Fast Track For Streetcars?

DULUTH, Minn. (WCCO/AP) – A Minnesota State Representative was allegedly involved in a sexual act at a public rest room near Proctor, Minn., according to recently released police documents.

The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office said they would not pursue criminal charges against 56-year-old Minnesota Rep. Kerry Gauthier (DFL) in relation to the alleged July 22 incident.

According to police documents, officers responded to a “suspicious activity” call at the Thompson Hill rest area. After investigating, they determined that Gauthier and a 17-year-old male had been involved in sexual activity — including oral sex — near the picnic tables on the south end of the rest area.

According to the documents, Gauthier admitted to meeting with the teen after putting an ad up on Craigslist, but said the teen claimed to be 18.

As the age of consent in Minnesota is 16, and as both parties claimed the encounter was consensual, the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office said they would not pursue criminal charges.

During the investigation, police were looking into whether money changed hands, which would make it a criminal matter, but Gauthier and the teen both said that money was not exchanged.

Police said that Gauthier was neither arrested nor issued a citation.

Duluth resident Gauthier, who represents an area ravaged by recent flooding, was a no-show at a State Capitol hearing to discuss disaster aid on Thursday. A first-term legislator, he is up for reelection this November.

Democratic House Minority Leader Paul Thissen said Gauthier was being hospitalized for “an unknown health issue” and he expects him to address the incident when he recovers.

“My immediate concern is for Rep. Gautheir’s health,” he said.

Minnesota’s Democratic Party Chairman, Ken Martin, also withheld comment.

The Republican Party of Minnesota released a statement Thursday in response to the investigation.

“Today, Gauthier’s constituents have legitimate reason to believe that what he terms a ‘private matter’ is preventing him from doing his job representing them,” said party chairperson Pat Shortridge. “Gauthier’s absence from today’s legislative hearing on providing his district relief from the floods that devastated Duluth in June, raises serious doubts about his ability to continue holding public office.”

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View Comments
  • http://www.politicalforum.com/current-events/261580-male-dem-wont-charged-public-oral-sex-teen-man-8.html#post1061603718 Male Dem won’t be charged for public oral sex on teen man – Page 8

    [...] [...]

  • http://www.shotinthedark.info/wp/?p=29684 Break From The Pattern | Shot in the Dark

    [...] with stories like that of Duluth-area DFL state Rep. Kerry Gauthier – who was caught en flagrante Clinton with a 17 year old outside a Duluth rest stop a few weeks ago – I’d say “the double standards [...]

  • http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/08/17/top-republicans-call-for-road-stop-sex-scandal-rep-to-quit/ Top Republicans Call For Road Stop Sex Scandal Rep. To Quit « CBS Minnesota

    [...] Gauthier admitted to police in Duluth that he put an ad on Craigslist seeking male sex at the highway rest stop off Interstate 35. [...]

  • http://hammonwry.com/archives/2012/08/21/tacky-but-not-illegal/ Tacky but not Illegal – Hamm On Wry » Hamm On Wry

    [...] someone I follow (who shall remain nameless as it’s a private account) is wondering why this story hasn’t been brought up more in the news as much as Akin’s abominable [...]

blog comments powered by Disqus
Listen Live!

Mobile Weather Watcher

Follow CBS Minnesota

Like us on foursquare
wccoradio podcastbanner3 WCCO Radio

Meet WCCO-TV’s Anchors

Amelia Santaniello Frank Vascellaro Chris Shaffer Mark Rosen

TV Schedule

Full Program Grid
7:00 PM The American Baking Competition
8:00 PM Criminal Minds
9:00 PM CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
10:00 PM WCCO 4 News at Ten
10:35 PM Late Show with David Letterman
11:37 PM The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson