New Brighton officials say city saddened by arrest of council member

New Brighton officials said in a statement today the city is "saddened by the news of the arrest" Monday of City Council member David Philllips.

Phillips, 58, was arrested along with eight other men in an undercover prostitution sting in St. Paul.

Phillips was working at his Minneapolis architectural firm Wednesday and declined to comment to a reporter.

He has not made a decision regarding his seat on the council, according to the city's four-sentence statement.

Phillips, who did not attend Tuesday's City Council work session and meeting, was elected to the council in November with the most votes of any candidate.

He had campaigned on the need for more scrutiny of the city's Northwest Quadrant redevelopment project and had been critical of the city's use of eminent domain to acquire property.

A call to the city Wednesday was forwarded to City Manager Dean Lotter, who did not return a message.

Mayor Steve Larson did not return a call Wednesday but said Tuesday night: "You're innocent until proven guilty, but if it's true, I'm totally shocked."

Eric M. Hanson • 612-673-7517