Draft:List of Minnesota political scandals

This is a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of Minnesota. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation.

Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Minnesota

 * Jennifer Carnahan (R) Chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota was accused by fellow Republicans of running a “morally bankrupt” office which included verbal abuse, intimidation and sexual misconduct due to the actions of her chief donor who had been charged with child trafficking. Carnahan resigned. (2021)


 * Jim Knoblach (R) State Representative from St. Cloud in District 14-B, abruptly ended his re-election campaign after his daughter made allegation of long term abuse. (2018)


 * Dan Schoen (D) State Senator from St. Paul Park in the 54th District, was accused of sexual harassment from several women and fellow legislators. He was asked to quit by senior Republican leaders which he did. (2017)


 * Tony Cornish (R) State Representative from South Vernon, was accused of sexual harassment by State Representative Erin Maye Quade (D) and lobbyist Sarah Walker. He was asked to leave by Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt. Cornish resigned. (2017)


 * Tim Kelly (Minnesota politician) (R) State Representative from Red Wing was found in a car groping Republican State Representative Tara Mack in Lebanon Hills Regional Park. He was ticketed by a park ranger for being a nuisance.  Kelly, who is married with children, disputed the officer’s report, but resigned from his committee.  He also pled guilty, paid the fine and did not seek re-election. (2015)


 * Tara Mack (R) State Representative from District 57A, was found in a car groping Republican State Representative Tim Kelly (Minnesota politician) also from Red Wing, in a Lebanon Hills Regional Park. They were ticketed by a park ranger for being a nuisance.  Mack, who is married with children, disputed the officer’s report, but resigned from her committee.  She also pled guilty, paid the fine and did not seek re-election. (2015)


 * Amy Koch (R) State Senator and Senate Majority Leader from Buffalo in the 19th District, was accused by four MN Republican Senators of an "inappropriate" relationship with Michael Brodkorb, the State Senate GOP Communications Chief. Koch resigned from her position as Majority Leader and refused to run for Senator again. Brodkorb was fired. (2013)


 * Michael Brodkorb (R) Chairman of Senate Republican Communications had an affair with Amy Koch (R) State Senator and Majority Leader. Koch resigned and Brodkorb was fired. He then sued the State Senate for $500,000, claiming wrongful termination and that he had been treated differently than other staff caught in romantic affairs. He eventually settled for $30,000 in back pay. (2013}


 * Republican Party of Minnesota (R) was accused of not paying debts from 2003 to 2008. It was found guilty of violating federal campaign finance regulations and was fined $170,000. (2012)


 * Tony Sutton (R) Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota was found guilty of circumventing Finance Laws in the Gubernatorial Election Recount of 2010 and fined $33,000. (2010)