DFL calls for ethics review into Ortman campaign's alleged payment for endorsement

The Minnesota DFL is calling for an ethics probe into why state Sen. Julianne Ortman's campaign cut a check to a onetime rival in exchange for his endorsement at the Republican Party's state convention in May.

Ortman, R-Chanhassen, confirmed this week to Star Tribune blogger Michael Brodkorb that her U.S. Senate campaign wrote a check to a former competitor. Ortman, who failed to gain the party's endorsement and eventually dropped out of the race, said the payment was unauthorized by the campaign.

On Friday, DFL Chairman Ken Martin called for an ethics complaint to be filed with the Minnesota Senate.

"Sen. Ortman admits to a wrongdoing that brings dishonor to the Senate," Martin said. "She should be held accountable by her colleagues."

Ortman did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Fellow Republican U.S. Senate candidate Monti Moreno first confirmed the payments in an interview with Brodkorb in November, saying he was approached by Ortman's campaign manager, Andy Parrish, at the convention in Rochester. Moreno said Parrish offered to pay off up to $5,000 in campaign debt in exchange for the endorsement. Moreno accepted and said he later received a check for $400 from the Ortman campaign. Another U.S. Senate candidate, Philip Parrish (no relation to Andy Parrish), also confirmed to Brodkorb that he was approached, but said he turned down the offer.

Businessman Mike McFadden went on to win the endorsement.

Earlier this year, Minnesota Senate Republicans filed ethics complaints against DFL state Sens. Jeff Hayden and Bobby Joe Champion for alleged abuses of power. A panel failed to resolve the complaints, which are now postponed indefinitely.

In his statement, Martin pressed Senate Minority Leader David Hann to back any complaints filed against Ortman.

"Sen. Hann has a track record of being concerned about the integrity of the Senate and actions of members of the Senate majority," Martin said. "We'll see if that concern includes the conduct of his caucus members, especially one who admits to questionable campaign practices or if Hann was using the Senate Ethics Committee only to score political points."

Senate Republican Caucus spokeswoman Katie Fulkerson said Hann would not comment.