MN Rep. Demands Colleagues Apologize To Deputy
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) -- A Democratic member of the Minnesota House of Representatives is calling on two Republican colleagues to apologize to a deputy who cited them for public nuisance.
State Reps. Tim Kelly and Tara Mack were cited for causing a nuisance, a misdemeanor, on Aug. 25, when a Dakota County ranger said he found the pair in a car making out — and wrote in his notes that Mack's pants were unzipped and pulled down.
Following initial reports of the citation, Kelly and Mack, who are married to other people, called the officer's account an "absolute lie" and vowed to lodge a complaint with the county.
Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie stood by the account of the ranger, a temporary employee with the sheriff's office. Both lawmakers then issued statements saying they wouldn't formally challenge the citation.
According to his account of conversations with Mack obtained by WCCO, Leslie wrote Mack initially "said she was glad the deputy came along to save her from an uncomfortable situation" after she and Kelly were cited. Days later, her attitude about the incident had changed, Leslie said, suggesting it could ruin her career.
On Friday, Democratic Rep. Dan Schoen, who is also a licensed peace officer, said that he found it "very disappointing that Rep. Mack and Rep. Kelly would try to harm the credibility of this law enforcement official simply to rescue their own."
Schoen pointed out that their payment on the citation constitutes admission of guilt, and that "making false claims against law enforcement officials is a serious issue."
Schoen's comments were sent in the form of a letter addressing House Speaker Kurt Daudt. Schoen asked for Daudt to "address this important issue of public trust."
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