Virtual File - Item

Text: September 11, 2015

The Honorable Kurt Daudt
Speaker of the House
463 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155

Dear Speaker Daudt:

As you are aware Representatives Tara Mack and Tim Kelly recently made serious accusations against a
law enforcement official via statements provided to various news outlets in response to reports of their
having been issued public nuisance citations at Lebanon Hills Regional Park on August 25th of this year.

In her initial statement, Rep. Mack said the sheriff deputy's report was "completely false." Rep. Kelly
made a similar claim in his statement, saying the officer "included false information" in his notes and said
the report is "an absolute lie.' Both said in their statements that they intended to file formal complaints
against the officer which would have provided all opportunity to further investigate these allegations. In
press accounts you stood behind their claims saying, 'We certainly support them."

Last Friday, both Reps. Mack and Kelly decided to drop their complaints and pay the fines associated
with the citations they received. Under Minnesota law, the payment of a citation is equivalent to a guilty
plea. Yet neither Rep. Mack nor Rep. Kelly retracted their original statements that the law enforcement
officer had filed a false report against them.

Members of the legislature making false claims against law enforcement officials is a serious issue for the
Minnesota House of Representatives. I find 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.

I believe it is important for the institution of the House that Rep. Kelly and Rep. Mack apologize to the
law enforcement official, and the Dakota County Sheriffs Office, for their very serious allegations
against them. As you had previously stood behind Rep. Kelly and Mack's claims, I believe it is important
that you also voice your support for the Dakota County Sheriff's Office official who was simply doing his
job.

As you know, l have been a licensed peace officer in the State of Minnesota for 14 years, and I currently
represent a portion of Dakota County in the legislature. There are also several members of the legislature
who used to work in law enforcement and/or have children and family members who are currently in law
enforcement. We know that every day there are police officers and law enforcement officials throughout
our state who work hard to uphold the public trust and keep us safe. To allow Rep. Mack and Rep.
Kelly's false claims to go unresolved is unacceptable.

It is important for the credibility of our body that Rep. Mack and Rep. Kelly apologize, and that as
Speaker of the House, you address this important issue of public trust. Thank you for your attention to
this important issue.

Sincerely,
Rep. Dan Schoen