ST. PAUL – A Democrat-led House committee recently approved using taxpayer funds to pay more than $10,000 in private legal fees incurred by a Democrat House member.
The move involved Rep. Bianca Virnig, D-Eagan, who was in a legal dispute with her private employer. Virnig hired private legal counsel, who settled with the employer out of court for an undisclosed amount. On Tuesday, the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee approved a $10,391.41 payment to cover Virnig’s legal expenses on a 9- 5 vote, with all Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans voting against.
House Republican Speaker-Designate Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said Democrats did not adequately explain why Minnesota taxpayers should pay for the fees instead of Virnig covering them with dollars she won from the settlement or otherwise.
“The Democrats’ lack of transparency regarding this unprecedented misuse of taxpayer dollars is highly concerning,” Demuth said. “This is a blatant disregard for the hardworking people of our state, using public tax dollars to pay for a legislator’s private expenses. This undermines the integrity of our Legislature and creates an ugly air of privilege among public officials that cannot continue. Republicans will put an end to this type of arrangement when we gain equal power in the House with a new Legislature sworn into office next month.”
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