Alleged Access of Report on Lawmakers’ Citation Results in Charges

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Dakota County employee has been charged for allegedly forwarding an internal report that detailed citations of two Minnesota lawmakers approached about a romantic encounter in a park this summer.

Republican Reps. Tara Mack and Tim Kelly were cited Aug. 25 by a park ranger who said he saw them making out in a car. The pair initially accused the ranger of lying but later paid fines.

A misdemeanor charge filed in Dakota County Court last month alleges Thomas Berry improperly accessed and shared a document with details about that incident and others. Berry told investigators he intended to discuss it with his wife.

Berry works for the Dakota County Water Resources Department. He didn't respond to a request for comment.

The Star Tribune first reported on the new charge.