by Nicholas Ballasy
The lawmaker was attempt to retrieve belongs of her late father in her stepmother’s home.
A Minnesota Democratic state senator was arrested early Monday and charged with first-degree burglary in Detroit Lakes, police said Tuesday.
Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd said state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, a former broadcast meteorologist, is being held in the Becker County Jail.
Mitchell reportedly said that she broke into her stepmother’s home to obtain items belonging to her late father.
According to the complaint, Mitchell attempted to obtain “pictures, a flannel shirt, ashes, and other items of sentimental value.”
The Michigan Senate, in which Democrats have a one-seat majority, is on Passover break, according to the Associated Press.
Mitchell’s arrest will complicate efforts for Democrats to pass legislation if she resigns or is forced to resign.
Republican Senate leader Mark Johnson said he was “shocked” about the news.
“The public expects Legislators to meet a high standard of conduct. As information comes out, we expect the consequences to meet the actions, both in the court of law, and in her role at the legislature,” Johnson said.
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Nicholas Ballasy is a reporter at Just the News.
