Lawmakers accused of 'making out' resign from ethics committee

Two Republican state lawmakers who accused a park ranger of misstating facts about seeing them “making out” in a parking lot have stepped down from the House ethics committee.

But their accompanying apologies to the law enforcement community weren’t sufficient for House DFLers, who accused them Monday of failing to address their earlier claims that the ranger’s assessment was wrong.

Reps. Tim Kelly and Tara Mack initially disputed the officer’s description of events at an Eagan park, but ultimately paid the fines. That drew criticism Friday from state Rep. Dan Schoen, a Democrat and a licensed peace officer, who said they unfairly attempted to discredit a law enforcement official — since paying the fines equates to pleading guilty.

The pair spoke over the weekend with House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, and Majority Leader Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers. Following that conversation, they agreed to step down from the House Ethics Committee.

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