State GOP wants probe into Ellison's pilgrimage to Mecca

Last update: July 22, 2009 - 8:30 PM

The Minnesota Republican Party on Wednesday called for a congressional investigation into Rep. Keith Ellison's 2008 pilgrimage to Mecca, which was paid for by a local Islamic nonprofit, the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, that has received state funds.

APOLOGY SOUGHT: In a letter to the House Ethics Committee, state GOP Party Chairman Tony Sutton also called on Ellison to apologize and reimburse the state for the trip's costs, which Ellison has not disclosed.

NO RESPONSE: Ellison's office did not respond to a request for comment about the GOP's demand. In an interview Tuesday, Ellison told the Star Tribune that he received prior approval for the trip from the Ethics Committee.

In a letter to the Star Tribune, Ellison wrote: "I don't mind disclosing further details of the trip if the Ethics Committee so decides. I will gladly comply, even though the trip was taken for a private purpose."

The Ethics Committee told Ellison's office last month that it is reviewing its decision to permit Ellison to withhold information about the cost of the trip.

KEVIN DIAZ

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