Misdemeanor charges of soliciting a prostitute were refiled Thursday against Peter Hong, a longtime Republican political operative in Minnesota.
Hong, 42, of Minneapolis, was arrested on July 23, 2008, in the 700 block of Payne Avenue in St. Paul after he allegedly offered an undercover police officer money for performing a sex act.
Hong was given a misdemeanor citation when he was arrested and was charged in November by the St. Paul city attorney's office with a gross misdemeanor. Those charges were dismissed on Nov. 25, but after further review were refiled as a misdemeanor Thursday in Ramsey County District Court. Hong could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Assistant City Attorney Stephen Heng said the sentences for a misdemeanor vs. a gross misdemeanor would likely be the same. A first-time offender could be ordered to do community service, attend a one-day class called "John school" and face fines and fees of $831, Heng said.
Police records showed that Hong was one of at least 19 men caught in a prostitution sting operation by police last summer.
According to the complaint, police posted two ads on Craigslist offering sexual services for sale. About 1:40 p.m. July 23, Hong phoned an officer posing as a prostitute and offered to pay her $150 for an hour of "full service." He contacted the officer against about two hours later and was directed to a hotel room, where he again offered money for sex.
Hong has been in and out of the Republican side of Minnesota politics since the mid-1990s, when he surfaced as a campaign press secretary for former Sen. Rod Grams. He served as a spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty's campaign in 2002 and worked on President George Bush's campaign in 2002. He also has worked on other campaigns.
Pat Pheifer • 612-741-4992
