(ST. PAUL, MINN) — Senator Nicole Mitchell appeared before an ethics committee for the first time regarding a pair of ethics complaints in relation to her criminal charges – two felonies relating to breaking into her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes.
In the hearing on the first ethics complaint, Senator Karin Housley, a Republican Senator from Stillwater, says said delays both in the criminal proceedings and the ethics committee’s proceedings, ‘have kept a dark cloud over the Minnesota Senate.’
In her comments to the committee, Mitchell said she requests the committee to ‘continue to follow Senate custom,’ further asking the committee to ‘delay any decision until after any allegations are completely resolved.’ She invoked her constitutional right to not answer substantive questions related to the complaint.
Regarding the first complaint, Senator Andrew Matthews, a Republican from Princeton, made a motion that the committee find probable cause and recommend expulsion to the rules committee. On a roll call vote, the motion failed to be adopted. The motion was tied 2-2.
A motion for further investigation was made by Senator Mary Kunesh. That motion also failed, tied 2-2.
A motion to defer rulings until after the trial was made. That motion passed unanimously.
In the hearing on the second complaint, Senator Steve Drazkowski said the complaint ‘is entirely about whether Senator Mitchell’s action prevented a vote of the Senate on her political future meets this body’s standard of ethical conduct.’
Drazkowski said that Mitchell participated in a vote ‘associated with her political future.’ Senators are to disclose conflicts of interests themselves.
“The ability to vote is considered central in our ability to represent our constituents,” Mitchell said.
On the second complaint, no actions were taken.
Senator Bobby Joe Champion said that, if new information was received, further hearings would be scheduled.
