Former West St. Paul City Council Member Ed Hansen was acquitted Tuesday by a Dakota County jury of charges of misconduct of a public official and disorderly conduct stemming from disagreements about properties on either side of his home. The charges were a gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor, respectively.
The complaint filed against Hansen in August 2012 said he tried to thwart the sale of a home next door by claiming he would use his position on the City Council to block permits the buyer would want in order to rent the property after buying it for an investment. He also was accused of verbally abusing the general contractor working on a city redevelopment project next to his home.
Hansen, 43, was elected to the City Council in 2010 but resigned in December 2012 after much controversy about flying a Confederate flag at his home and the criminal charges.
He is owner of Rocco's Pizza in Little Canada.
PAT PHEIFER
