The Senate on Thursday confirmed bus company owner Charlie Zelle as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) despite concerns that his business ties could pose a conflict of interest.
Zelle's confirmation came after he signed an unusual four-page statement assuring legislators that he's no longer managing Jefferson Lines and wouldn't participate in state decisions over whether to award it government contracts.
"Zelle will recuse himself from any and all participation in the transactions," his statement said.
The confirmation came on a voice vote, but not until several members voiced concerns about his business interests.
Jefferson Lines provides inter-city bus service and has been credited with serving small cities in Minnesota and elsewhere. It has received federal grants that are distributed by MnDOT.
"It could be a conflict of interest," said Sen. John Pederson, R-St. Cloud. "A fair question ... is how he might separate himself from the distribution of these grants."
"There is, if not the reality, the perception of a potential conflict of interest," agreed Sen. Roger Reinert, DFL-Duluth.
But Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, chairman of the Transportation and Public Safety Committee, called Zelle a "business leader" with special knowledge about transportation. And Sen. Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, said Zelle hadn't done anything that could be called a conflict.
