ST. PAUL, Minn. — The ethics panel weighing a complaint against DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who faces a felony charge, moved to delay action and meet again following her June court appearance after an hours-long and at times heated hearing Tuesday.
At issue was a complaint alleging Mitchell violated Senate rules on conduct, betraying the public trust and bringing the chamber into “dishonor or disrepute” with the allegations and her comments disputing the details laid out by police in the criminal complaint.
Mitchell is charged with first-degree burglary for breaking into her stepmother’s home two weeks ago to retrieve her late father’s ashes and other items, investigators say; Mitchell said she was trying to check in on her loved one whose health was a concern.
“We are not asking you to serve as the court of law. We are asking you to uphold the integrity of this institution and restore public trust,” said Sen. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, one of the Republicans who filed the complaint. “We’re asking you to look at the Senate rules and ask yourself, truly, is it the norm of the Senate to be caught red-handed engaged in a burglary?”