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C'ity 5ti"��;��r won't b�� ch�.�-�ec�
<br />Posted on Sat, Jun 10, 2006
<br />City worker won't be charged
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<br />An assistant St. PauE c�ty attorney who was rallying eiection support for a Ramsey County District judge on city time won't be prosecuted,
<br />officials said Friday.
<br />Eric L�rson did admlt to sending dozens of e-mails from his city account April 11, soliciting support for Dale Lindman, a judge up for re
<br />election this fall who is widely expected to face a chailenge From City Council Member Jay �3�ndrldv.
<br />The e-mail came to the city's attention when the PfOneer Press obtained a copy and inquired about its authenticity. City code prohibits
<br />poiitical activity using public property or conducted during working hours. Records released Friday show Larson sent 42 e-mails mentioning
<br />Lindman over a Four-hour period that day.
<br />Blppmington City Attorney David Ornstein, who investigated the case for St. Paul, safcE in official findings that he did not "believe criminal
<br />charges are appropriate" and suggested the city handle the matter through the empioyee discipline system.
<br />Larson got an oral reprimand from City Attoc-ney lohn Choi and vo[untarily gave up a day of vacation time, according to records released
<br />by the city.
<br />"We're very glad to put this behind us and focus on the important legak matters facing the city," Choi said in an interview about the
<br />matter.
<br />The disciplinary letter from Choi called Larson o n e of our finest litigators" and referred to his "prior spotless record." Mayor Chris Coleman
<br />on Friday concurred, calling Larson "a great attorney and outstanding public servant" and Characterizing the incident as "an honest
<br />mistake."
<br />Larson declfned comment
<br />That apparently marks the end of the mal'Cer, although it is oniy the latest turrt in the winding course ���judicial elections �n Minnesota
<br />State rules previously put sharp limits on : . ;'� �.•.� candidates could say and i�o�du�ing their campaigns, ,U�;� ;'' discussSng legal
<br />matters, seeking endorsements and saiicitinc, car�p�ign funds.
<br />But the U.S_ Supreme Court pared back tho,,�r prohibitions in 2002, skding with a challenger in Minnesota's ��pr,�rn� Cq�frt elections. The
<br />8th U.S. Circuit Cau�k �,� Appeals •,•,•.���• =�••—� thr� restrictions =—�� su�mer.
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