Rep. Gauthier won't face charges in incident with 17-year-old at rest stop; GOP wants answers

The St. Louis County Attorney's office will not pursue charges against state Rep. Kerry Gauthier for an incident at a rest stop involving a 17-year-old male

Authorities responded to a report of "suspicious activity" at a rest area near Proctor the night of July 22, but have refused to discuss the investigation ever since. According to records released Thursday, authorities investigated the Duluth DFLer for allegedly having oral sex with a 17-year-old male at the rest stop.

Gauthier told police he met the 17-year-old after placing an ad on Craiglist. The boy reportedly told him he was 18.

Gauthier has refused to talk about the investigation, calling it a private matter.

The 17-year-old allegedly told police he responded to the ad and agreed to meet Gauthier at the

rest area. He told police they walked to a wooded area behind the rest stop and were back there for "five minutes," when they engaged in oral sex, the paper reported.

Both parties told police their relationship was consensual and no money was exchanged.

Republican Party Chairman Pat Shortridge on Thursday called the incident "deeply disturbing."

"Today, Gauthier's constituents have legitimate reason to believe that what he terms a 'private matter' is preventing him from doing his job representing them," Shortridge said.

Gauthier, a first-term legislator who sits on a House public safety committee, could not immediately be reached for comment. He is up for re-election in November.

On Thursday, Gauthier missed a joint House-Senate meeting to discuss flood relief in northeastern Minnesota, including Duluth.

"Gauthier's absence … raises serious doubts about his ability to continue holding public office," Shortridge said.