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Sen. Chaudhary says his work has never crossed ethical lines
State legislator defends sponsorship deals made for his cable access show
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State Sen. Satveer Chaudhary on Sunday defended business deals made for his new outdoor sports cable show, saying that union sponsorship of his show and a deal he received on an Arctic Cat snowmobile used in it do not influence his votes or legislation he has pushed.
"I am no different than a teacher working on education, nurse working on health care or farmer working on ethanol," he said. "I'm a conservationist, so I work on the environment. My activities never cross ethical lines, and I welcome all scrutiny."
Chaudhary, DFL-Fridley, held a news conference in response to a Sunday Star Tribune report that he made the business deals for his cable show "Born to Be Wild" with organizations that had stakes in legislation he backed.
Chaudhary, chairman of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, unsuccessfully backed an amendment to require the Department of Natural Resources to purchase snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles only from Minnesota manufacturers. Arctic Cat is based in Thief River Falls, Minn.
The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters spent $15,000 to be a sponsor. In 2007, Chaudhary sponsored a bill to curb independent contractors in the construction industry. The bill, which passed, was backed by the council.
"Regardless of my voting record, I keep my private and public activities totally and utterly separate," his statement said. "I've literally dedicated my life to public service and will continue to do what's right for Minnesotans."
ABBY SIMONS
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- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
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