Minn. lawmaker convicted in domestic assault apologizes

by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio

A state lawmaker who was convicted last summer on a domestic assault charge is asking for forgiveness from his Minnesota House colleagues.

St. Paul, Minn. — State Representative Mark Olson of Big Lake apologized to his colleagues in the Minnesota House today for what he termed as his "personal failure."

The eight term Republican was arrested in 2006 in connection with a domestic dispute.

Last July, a Sherburne County jury found Olson guilty of one count of misdemeanor assault against his wife. Olson asked his colleagues for forgiveness today on the House floor.

"All of the requirements placed upon me by the court have been fulfilled and completed," Olson told his colleagues. "And I want to apologize now to all of you for my part in this plight by asking you you, will you forgive me for bringing dishonor and disrepute to you as my colleagues and to this institution?"

Republicans in the Minnesota House voted in December to permanently remove Olson of Big Lake from their caucus.