Minnesota state Sen. Nicole Mitchell removed from committees, caucus meetings amid burglary investigations

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Embattled Minnesota authorities Sen. Nicole Mitchell will beryllium removed from her committee assignments and caucus meetings while burglary allegations against her play retired successful some a Senate and ineligible investigation, nan Senate mostly leader announced Sunday.

"This is simply a tragic situation, and location are still questions that request to beryllium answered," Sen. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, said. "The ineligible investigation is ongoing, and past week, we referred her lawsuit to nan Senate Subcommittee connected Ethical Conduct. While nan lawsuit is nether reappraisal some successful nan Senate and successful nan courts, Senator Mitchell will beryllium relieved of her committee assignments and removed from caucus meetings."     

On Monday, Mitchell proved to beryllium nan deciding ballot successful her ain defense, defeating a GOP-led effort to portion her of her voting powers.

"We person a basal worth astatine stake, that group of each Senate territory are entitled to beryllium represented," Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) said during nan hours-long debate.

Mitchell, a Democrat who represents portion of nan eastbound Twin Cities, was charged pinch burglary past week. She was recovered dressed successful each achromatic successful nan basement of her stepmother's location successful Detroit Lakes, according to a criminal complaint. Authorities allege she confessed to breaking into nan location to retrieve her father's ashes and different sentimental items aft her stepmother stopped speaking to her. On societal media, Mitchell denied nan allegations, saying she was astatine nan location to cheque connected a family personnel pinch Alzheimer's. 

In different statement, she said she was "extremely disappointed that nan title lacks nan complete accusation of nan incident including important context, for illustration that I person known nan different personification progressive successful this incident since I was 4 years aged and profoundly attraction astir her."

Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steven Todd told WCCO nan alleged burglary and Mitchell's apprehension were caught connected assemblage cameras. He said he has seen nan bodycam footage, but is prohibited from releasing it by authorities law.    

Senate Republicans filed an morals complaint against Mitchell aft she was charged, and immoderate person called for her resignation, including Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks. The Ethics Subcommittee is group to meet May 7 to talk nan title against Mitchell.

"Members, are we really going to fto a personnel who is accused of specified a superior crime, beryllium nan deciding ballot connected these bills passing done this body," Sen. Karin Housley, a Republican from Stillwater, countered.

Mitchell, who has besides been a TV meteorologist and a commandant pinch nan Air National Guard, was elected successful 2022 and is successful nan midst of her first term.  

Separate from her criminal case, lawmakers successful St. Paul person revenge an morals title against Mitchell. A committee will meet to see nan title connected May 7.

In:
• Woodbury News
• Minnesota Legislature
• Detroit Lakes
• Burglary