Mark Olson: What's next?

Posted at 5:49 PM on July 13, 2007 by Tom Scheck (5 Comments)

Mark Olson was found guilty today of one count of misdemeanor domestic assault. Sentencing is scheduled for August 8th. So the next question is: What action lawmakers will take?

There have already been calls for him to resign after the charges were filed. GOP House Minority Leader Marty Seifert told MPR in December that Olson should be removed from office if he is found guilty. Gov. Pawlenty also said at the time that it would "inappropriate for him to be serving in the Legislature" if he's found guilty.

DFL House Speaker Margaret Kelliher released this statement after Olson was found guilty:

The Minnesota House of Representatives respects the verdict reached by jurors in the case against Representative Mark Olson. The judge has indicated he will impose his sentence at a later date.

The Rules of the Minnesota House of Representatives allow for the punishment of a member who brings the House into dishonor or disrepute. A complaint must be signed by at least two members and submitted to me for referral to the Committee on Ethics. That bi-partisan panel is made up of six members, two of whom serve as alternates. Any recommendation for disciplinary action by the Ethics Committee will be reported to the entire House body for final disposition.

Olson will not be removed from office without a fight. He told MPR in February that he will not resign if he's found guilty.

Comments (5)

Tom:

Representative Olson should resign - effective immediately. If he doesn't resign, the House of Representatives should vote to expel him.

Posted by Michael B. Brodkorb | July 13, 2007 6:25 PM

Is anybody else curious about what exactly the "discipline" was that Olson meeted out against an autistic child that is alleged to have caused the dispute between his wife and the representative?

Posted by Bob Collins | July 13, 2007 9:40 PM

he won't resign. he's easily the most stubborn politican in the state (which is no small claim, believe you me).

Posted by Bill | July 14, 2007 2:21 AM

If Olson doesn't resign, and the legislature doesn't expel him, the Republican BPOU in his district has the responsibility to ensure he does not get endorsed and drag the Republican brand further in the mud.

Jason Lewis was defending Olson on his show.

Posted by Eva Young | July 14, 2007 2:58 PM

There is no way Olson will make it through this. Either he is expelled in February, or his BPOU boots him out at the caucuses. The House Gop was right to throw him out last year. Good for them.

Posted by Jorge Posada | July 14, 2007 10:37 PM

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