Representative John Thompson denies abuse allegations in lawyer statement

[ad_1]

item

Rep. John Thompson now faces calls to resign after past allegations of domestic violence were uncovered by FOX 9. (FOX 9)

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (FOX 9) – As Minnesota lawmakers on both sides of the aisle demand his resignation, attorney for Representative John Thompson has issued a statement on his behalf casting doubt on a series of police reports uncovered by FOX 9 detailing several past allegations of domestic violence against the member of the Minnesota House.

In the statement released on Sunday, Thompson’s attorney Jordan Kushner said lawmakers “disputed the authenticity of the police reports that were released to the press” – despite the fact that Thompson was convicted in one Business.

Minnesota Governor and DFL Leaders Call for Representative Thompson to Resign

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and DFL leaders are calling for Representative Thompson’s resignation after allegations of domestic assault come to light.

The statement came a day after leaders of the Minnesota House DFL, Governor Walz and Chairman of the Minnesota DFL Party all called on Thompson to step down after FOX 9 uncovered the past allegations.

In his statement, Kushner further claims that law enforcement groups provided the police reports to members of the media. However, FOX 9 found the reports while working to verify Thompson’s residency status – which was called into question this month after Thompson was arrested in St. Paul.

Additionally, FOX 9 investigative reporter Tom Lyden obtained reports from law enforcement agencies using standard data practice requests.

Kushner goes on to say that Thompson has been the target of law enforcement officials since last August, when the then Minnesota House of Representatives candidate made heated remarks during a protest outside the home of the former Minneapolis Police Federation president Bob Kroll. Thompson then apologized for his “inflammatory rhetoric” as DFL leaders distanced themselves from the tirade.

What triggered the investigation

The recent problems began after Thompson charged a St. Paul police sergeant with racial profiling for arresting him on July 4. Police told FOX 9 that officers arrested Thompson for driving a vehicle without a front license plate. During the stop, Thompson gave police a Wisconsin driver’s license.

It was later learned that Thompson’s driving privileges in Minnesota had been suspended for unpaid child support and that he had renewed his Wisconsin driver’s license in November 2020 with an address in Wisconsin – the same month he was elected to the Minnesota legislature. This prompted questions about Thompson’s residency and his eligibility for a position in his district of St. Paul.

As FOX 9 examined Thompson’s residence, we uncovered four past incidents where Thompson was charged with domestic violence between 2003 and 2010, including crimes allegedly committed in front of children.

After the FOX 9 report, GOP lawmakers also called on Thompson to step down with Minnesota House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, threatening Republicans were prepared to file ethical complaints against Thompson’s. he did not quit his post.

Although Thompson did not directly address the controversy, his wife posted a Facebook post on Saturday dismissing the allegations and saying that Thompson had no plans to step down.

“I am in fierce protection mode my king / protect my pack, please understand that ‘respectfully’ we are not resigning.”

In his statement, Kushner did not address Thompson’s future career plans.

Complete statement by counsel for Rep. Thompson

Mr. Thompson disputes the authenticity of the police reports that were distributed to the press. Mr Thompson and his wife – the only person Mr Thompson was said to have been with at the time of the incidents – categorically deny that any of the inflammatory allegations (including, but not limited to, suffocating someone or being exposed) never took place. Mr. Thompson’s wife also does not recall and does not believe she ever made such allegations. They have been in a relationship for over twenty years, solved problems earlier in their relationship, and have a strong marriage. I understand that the alleged police reports were provided to reporters by individuals associated with law enforcement groups. These are probably the same groups that have consistently and vigorously waged a smear campaign against Mr. Thompson since his speech in Hugo, MN in August 2020 (11 months ago). If these police reports existed in their current form, it is inconceivable that the many people digging into Mr Thompson’s past would not have found these police reports before the November election let alone in the months that followed. . Police reports are the product of the campaign to silence an African American man who speaks out against powerful and abusive interests, not the product of an effort to find out the truth.

[ad_2]