Minnesota Senate Democrats Monday filed an ethics complaint against former Senate Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel's handling of Sen. Amy Koch and former staffer Michael Brodkorb's affair.
The complaint said that Michel failed to respond quickly to allegations and lied about his knowledge of it.
"Sen. Michel had an obligation as deputy Majority Leader to take appropriate action to fully and swiftly address the matter," the complaint said. "Michel betrayed the public's trust by making false and clearly misleading public statements."
Democrats have been considering a complaint against Michel since last year but have just filed it.
Since the news of the affair first surface, Koch stepped down as senate majority leader, Michel lost his leadership post, Brodkorb was fired and Brodkorb has threatened to sue the Senate and the state over his firing. Brodkorb has also said he may separately sue Michel and other senators.
Michel, R-Edina, has said he will not run for re-election.
"This is about politics and payback and has nothing to do with ethics. The DFL wants a few more headlines. The conflict of interest has been resolved. The workplace environment has improved. And, we did this while protecting whistleblowers and staff," Michel said in a statement. "I have asked for an immediate hearing to resolve this matter."
Read the complete complaint here:
