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possibly violated the law to help ACORN in Katrina and BP, Two Sides
of the Same Coin
return for ACORN's political help.
Who Owns the Land,
Anyway?
In December 2004, Minnesota Attorney
The Liberal Takeover of the
General Mike Hatch sued Capital One for
World Cup 2010
failing to state in its advertisements that it Some Advice for the Tea
could increase interest rates on credit cards. Party: Take Your Time and
As part of a 2006 settlement, Capital One paid Learn from Your Mistakes
$749,999, of which $249,999 went to Dodging the Anti-Semitism
ACORN, $250,000 went to the nonprofit Bullet
Legal Aid, and $250,000 to the State of Mr. President, You're Stuck
www.smm.org Ads by Google
Minnesota. on Stupid
The Slave Mentality
ACORN's political action committee had endorsed Mike Hatch for attorney general in 1998
and 2002, and in 2006 for governor. Blog Posts
Larrey Anderson, Dan Riehl
In 2008, Minnesota's Legislative Auditor, James Nobles, conducted a review of the Capital
on Moran's show
One settlement and payment to ACORN. By letter, he asked Hatch's successor, current state The Unbearable Lightness
Attorney General Lori Swanson (who was given a grade of A+ from ACORN in 2008) for of Zero
information about the settlement. Specifically, Nobles asked: Animal-rights activist Internal Whol...
forces pharmacy out of Prudentials Life
Texas shopping mall Brokerage Distribution is
[Minnesota statute 16A-151] says: ‘A state official may not commence, Connect the Dots experiencing contin...
pursue, or settle litigation, or settle a matter that could have resulted in The Baehr Essentials
Plymouth, MN
litigation, in a manner that would result in money being distributed to a Before the Tea Party
person or entity other than the state.' An exception is... if the settlement NYT more clueless and Compressor En...
biased than Al Jazeera Ingersoll Rand is a $13
amount is less than $750,000. It is alleged that the Attorney General's office billion company whose
An execution in Texas stirs
sought a judgment of $749,999 to avoid the prohibition [on diverting people and busin...
debate Minneapolis, MN
settlement money from the state]. Is that true? If not, please explain why the A little sympathy for Rep.
Attorney General's office sought a $749,999 judgment. Etheridge, please
Systems Engineer
These boots are made for Job Opening Ingersoll
talking Rand is a $13 billion
Swanson's response to Nobles in May 2008, rather than conducting any independent inquiry company whose peop...
Minneapolis, MN
herself, consisted of forwarding a May 2008 letter from Mike Hatch, who denied impropriety.
Monthly Archives
Swanson's response to the investigation of whether Minnesota law was violated, in other
words, was that the alleged perpetrator said he's innocent. June 2010 Senior Networ...
May 2010 "DREAM, DESIGN,
DELIVER" POSITION:
Hatch's letter begged more questions than it answered. In response to Nobles' question about April 2010
Senior Network Engineer
March 2010
why Hatch sought and accepted a $749,999 settlement, exactly one dollar below the statutory LOC...
More... Eden Prairie, MN
threshold requiring all of the settlement money to be paid to the state, Hatch replied, "[t]he
answer is because that is what the statute permitted."
That answer, of course, evades Nobles' question. The settlement could have been for any
amount or no amount whatsoever, rather than exactly one dollar below the threshold that
would have required the settlement proceeds be paid to the state. That exactly one-dollar
difference would have barred ACORN from receiving any portion of the settlement proceeds.
1 of 3 6/16/10 7:05 AM
American Thinker: ACORN, Payola and Color of Law http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/acorn_payola_and_co...
Hatch admitted that "[i]t was in the State's interest to settle the litigation," and he explained the
retired judge mediator in the case seriously questioned the merits and available remedies for
the case. It is conceivable from Hatch's letter that Capital One should have paid no money. Cash For Your
Settlement
— We Buy Structured
Hatch said Capital One refused to consent to a settlement that could be construed as a civil
Settlements — Get
penalty payment to the state. State civil penalties, however, may be less than $750,000. The Your Settlement Cash
$749,999 threshold was irrelevant to Capital One's concern, and irrelevant to why Hatch would Today!
accept a settlement paying ACORN $249,999, especially since the settlement included www.SenecaOneCash.com/Settlements
$250,000 to the state. Local Injury
Attorney
Hatch's letter gets even more squirrelly. He claimed Capital One agreed that $250,000 would Minnesota Personal
be used to reimburse Minnesota for its investigation costs, and $250,000 would go to Legal Injury Attorney Over
Aid at Hatch's suggestion. Hatch, however, claimed it was a Capital One executive who 30 Years Experience
www.reitanlawoffice.com
suggested that the remaining $249,999 be paid to ACORN "for purposes of supporting
financial advocacy, education and assistance in Minnesota." The question remains, who The 9mm Won't
influenced Capital One to suggest payment to ACORN as part of a settlement? Save You
Discover What Self
Defense Masters &
In explaining why the payment to ACORN should not be construed as quid pro quo for
The Army Don't Want
ACORN PAC's several political endorsements of Hatch (who narrowly lost his 2006
You To Know
gubernatorial bid to Tim Pawlenty), Hatch said the Capital One settlement payment was to www.CloseCombatTraining.com
ACORN, which is a separate entity from ACORN PAC. He assured Noble that by law the Non Hodgkins
entities could not commingle their activities. He said he was never endorsed by ACORN. His Lymphoma
successor Lori Swanson, however, received a grade of A+ from ACORN, not ACORN PAC. What Caused It? Are
You Entitled To
Compensation? We
Hatch also said he "had worked with ACORN on several credit-related cases . . . and found
Can Help!
[ACORN] very credible." He went on to praise ACORN's financial counseling services as www.NonHodgkinsLymphomaLawsuit.com
"very credible," and noted "ACORN also provides free tax preparation services for low and Life Settlement
moderate income families in partnership with the IRS." Quote
FREE Estimate of Your
Hannah Giles and James O'Keefe should have gone to St. Paul, I guess. Life Policy's Value.
Easy Process. No
The Legislative Audit Commission conducted a meeting on June 30, 2008, where Noble Obligation.
www.MyPolicyOptions.com
presented his findings. MinnPost.com reported that Lori Swanson declined an invitation to
appear at the hearing. Hatch didn't show, either, and told the reporter he's "not talking to [the
reporter]."
That hearing addressed other issues, such as a Medicare fraud investigation. MinnPost.com
reported, "that some attorneys in the Attorney General's Office felt pressured to
Give advice that was not in the best interest of the client;
Find defendants to help the Attorney General's Office bring certain types of
lawsuits; and
Such problems, if true, would be serious trouble for a country lawyer, never mind the chief law
enforcement official of a state.
What Legislative Auditor Nobles did not address was another part of the statute requiring
settlement money to go to the persons injured by the alleged misconduct of the target of the
AG's lawsuit, and if such persons can't be located, then to the state. The law is designed to use
settlement money to compensate the injured. Mr. Hatch seems to have used it as a political
slush fund.
ACORN says it helped Lori Swanson in many ways, including writing legislation with her.
She looked the other way when the law may have been violated by her predecessor to help
ACORN, which helped Swanson.
Lori Swanson and Mike Hatch need to be questioned in detail and under oath about whether
2 of 3 6/16/10 7:05 AM
American Thinker: ACORN, Payola and Color of Law http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/acorn_payola_and_co...
3 of 3 6/16/10 7:05 AM
Judge Profile Page 1 of 2
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Appointed District Court Judge, Second Judicial District by Governor Jesse Ventura
For Justice Agencies
Sworn into office, June 17, 2002. Elected in 2004. His current term expires in January 2011.
Contact Us
Bar Admission:
http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=JudgeBio_v2&ID=30300 10/7/2010
Judge Profile Page 2 of 2
Admitted to Minnesota State Bar, 1981; United States District Court, 1982
Education:
University of Minnesota Law School
Juris Doctor, 1981
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts, 1978
Professional Experience:
McCollum, Crowley, Vehanen, Moschet & Miller, Ltd.; American Family Insurance
& Warner; Engebretson & Associates
Professional Activities:
Co-Chair, Ramsey County District Court ProBono Committee.
Volunteer Mentor, University of St. Thomas Law School Mentor Program, 2003-2004.
Member of the Multistate Performance Test Policy Committee of the National Conference of B
2002-present.
Member of the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam Policy Committee of the National C
Bar Examiners, 1996-2002.
Author “Reservations of Rights and Denials of Coverage”, Minnesota Insurance Law Deskbook
Professional Memberships:
Minnesota State Bar Association; Ramsey County Bar Association; Minnesota Association of B
Douglas K. Amdahl American Inn of Court
http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=JudgeBio_v2&ID=30300 10/7/2010
Attorney General Opinions By Date Page 1 of 7
Op. Atty. Gen 185b (Cr. Ref. 159-a-3) (June 15, 2007)
SCHOOL ELECTIONS: PETITIONS: Petition Rules promulgated by the Secretary of State
generally apply to petition for school district referendum. School district clerks should perform the
functions of “filing officer under those rules.:” Minn Stat. §§ 204B.071, 205A.05, subd. 1, 205A.13
(2006); Minn. R. ch. 8205
Independent School District No. 15 (St. Francis)
Op. Atty. Gen 852 (Cr. Ref. 64, 184-a) (October 6, 2006)
GOVERNMENT DATA: CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE: Criminal history data collected by
city on council candidates is not private “applicant” data under Minn. Stat. § 13.43 (2004).
Authority of city to collect such data questioned, Minn. Stat. §§ 13.03, 13.43, 13.601.
City of Red Wing
Op. Atty. Gen. 852 (Cr. Ref. 817, 851) (April 13, 2004)
GOVERNMENT DATA: PROPERTY APPRAISALS: Data Practices classification of property
appraisals done for purposes of acquisition discussed. Minn. Stat. §§ 13.44, 117.036 (Supp.
2003).
Department of Transportation
Op. Atty. Gen. 63-b-14 (Cr. Ref. 61-c) (May 13, 2002)
CITIES: COUNCIL: ORDINANCES: Computation of two-thirds majority when mayor may only
vote in case of a tie. Minn. Stat. §§ 462.355, subd. 3 (2000), 462.357, subd. 2 (2001 Supp.)
City of Minnetonka Beach
Op. Atty. Gen. 174 (Cr. Ref. 159-b-12, 161-b-14) (March 29, 2002)
TEACHERS: COMPENSATION: SCHOOL: Districts not authorized to pay for teachers’ insurance
and retirement contribution while on extended leave. Minn. Stat. §§ 122A.46, 354.094 (2000).
Independent School Dist. No. 279 (Osseo)
Op. Atty. Gen. 59a-32 (Cr. Ref. 441h; 477b-34) (January 25, 2002)
MUNICIPALITIES: ZONING: AMENDMENT: With certain exceptions, municipal zoning
ordinances may be adopted or amended by majority vote of governing body notwithstanding
charter provision, or ordinance requiring greater majority. Minn. Stat. §§ 462.351, 462.357.
City of Moorhead
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Attorney General Opinions By Date Page 2 of 7
Op. Atty. Gen. 125a (Cr. Ref. 59a-9) (October 18, 2001)
COUNTY: BUILDING CODE: ADOPTION: County may adopt and enforce State Building Code by
ordinance notwithstanding previous referendum. Op. Atty. Gen. 125a. April 20, 1994, superceded.
Minn. Stat. § 16B.72 (2000).
Blue Earth County
Op. Atty. Gen. 125a-28 (Cr. Ref. 59a-25; 161b-7) (April 30, 2001)
COUNTIES: INSURANCE: RETIRED EMPLOYEES: Health insurance coverage for retired
employees may be modified in connection with a new collective bargaining agreement. Minn. Stat.
§§ 179A.03 subd. 19, 179A.20, 471.61, 471.6161.
Itasca County
Op. Atty. Gen. 852 (Cr. Ref. 523a-17, 523a-27) (August 4, 2000)
DATA PRACTICES ACT: LABOR AND INDUSTRY: ORDERS: Orders of Commissioner of Labor
and Industry and objections thereto are public data. Minn. Stat. §§ 13.39, 176.181.
Department of Labor and Industry
Op. Atty. Gen. 229A (Cr. Ref. 1005, 1007, 1016) (June 30, 2000)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: RESPONSIBILITIES: CONSTRUCTION: Responsibilities
of Commissioner of Transportation and Metropolitan Council in connection with construction of light
rail transit project discussed: Minn. Stat. §§ 471.59, 473.399 -473.3997.
Minnesota House of Representatives Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy
Committee
Op. Atty. Gen. 1035 (Cr. Ref. 170c) August 23, 1999
MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE: Questions concerning the nature, governance and
powers of the League discussed. Minn. Stat. §§ 10A.071, 15.0575, 118A.04, 118A.05, 128C.01,
128C.10, 128C.15, 128C.22, 471.345, 471.705, 471.895 (1998).
State Auditor
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/resources/opinions/DATE.HTM 10/7/2010
Attorney General Opinions By Date Page 3 of 7
cars. Minn. Stat. §§ 169.98 subd. 1 (a); 375.18 subd. 2; 387.29 subd. 2.
Blue Earth County
Op. Atty. Gen. 59a-32 (Cr. Ref. 125a-66, 477b-34, 484a-1, 484e-1) (May 11, 1999)
CITIES: ZONING: City ordinance zoning newly annexed land in Mississippi headwaters area is not
subject to requirement for formal review and certification by Mississippi Headwaters Board, but
must, nonetheless comply with the Boards’ comprehensive land use plan. Minn. Stat. § 103f.371 -
103f.375 (1998).
Mississippi Headwaters Board
Op. Atty. Gen. 161b-7 (Cr. Ref. 59a-25, 125a-28, 469a-7) (December 15, 1998)
SCHOOL DISTRICTS: INSURANCE: RETIRED EMPLOYEES: School district is not required to
make available same level of insurance coverage to retired employees 65 years of age and older as
that provided to active employees. Minn. Stat. § 471.61, subd. 2b.
Independent School District No. 622 (North St. Paul-Maplewood)
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/resources/opinions/DATE.HTM 10/7/2010
Attorney General Opinions By Date Page 4 of 7
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Attorney General Opinions By Date Page 5 of 7
works of authorship are protected by federal copyright law. Certain restrictions may be placed upon
use of public data. Tit. 17 U.S.C. Minn. Stat. §§ 13.03, 13.37, 15.95, 16B.483, 16B.5l, 16B.53
Department of Natural Resources
Op. Atty. Gen. 59a-32 (Cr. Ref. 59a-9, 125a-66) (August 18, 1995)
CITIES: ZONING: City may extend subdivision regulations and building code enforcement but not
zoning controls, two miles beyond city limits where county zoning regulations are in effect. Minn.
Stat. §§ 16B.62, 16B.72, 462.357, 462.358 (1994).
Mille Lacs County, City of Milaca
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/resources/opinions/DATE.HTM 10/7/2010
Attorney General Opinions By Date Page 6 of 7
meetings of county board. Members may not be paid multiple per diem for meetings held on the
same day, absent independent statutory authority Minn. Stat. §§ 375.055, 375.065.
State Auditor
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Attorney General Opinions By Date Page 7 of 7
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/resources/opinions/DATE.HTM 10/7/2010
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