Ilhan Omar Will Return Speaking Fees From Public Schools
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic state Rep. Ilhan Omar said she will pay back $2,500 in speaking fees she accepted from public colleges.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski raised a concern about the fees on Monday, calling on Omar to return the money. The Mazeppa Republican says it's a major ethical lapse for a lawmaker to take that money from an organization that lobbies at the Legislature.
Omar issued the following statement in response to Drazkowski's press release.
"A number of speaking engagements, including these, were scheduled and confirmed prior to my election, swearing-in, and instruction on Minnesota House rules. In the transition, we didn't realize that we would need to look back and apply these rules to previously confirmed engagements," Omar said. "It's regrettable that Rep. Drazkowski didn't approach me directly with his concern so I could address this oversight. To address this concern, these honoraria will be returned to the institutions through their scholarship funds as soon as possible."
Economic disclosure reports filed with Congress and Drazkowski's own public records requests revealed the speaking fees Omar accepted from Normandale Community College and Inver Hills Community College last year. Minnesota House rules bars representatives from accepting speaking fees from entities with business at the Legislature.
Omar is the nation's first Somali-American lawmaker who is running for Congress after just one term.
(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
