Citing conflict, Minneapolis police won't look into claim against Keith Ellison

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison on June 17, 2018, in Minneapolis. (Craig Lassig/Zuma Press/TNS)

​The DFL Party’s attempt to find a law enforcement agency willing to investigate a domestic abuse claim against U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison was mired in uncertainty Wednesday, after the Minneapolis Police Department said it would seek to refer the case to another jurisdiction.

Earlier Wednesday, the DFL asked Minneapolis police to investigate after both a city attorney and a county prosecutor declined to review a report the party commissioned that did not substantiate the allegation.

Ellison’s former girlfriend, Karen Monahan, alleges that the Democratic candidate for attorney general tried to drag her off a bed during a fight in August 2016. He denies it.

“Due to a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of interest, the Minneapolis Police Department will not be handling the matter involving Congressman Keith Ellison,” read a police statement. It said the department is in communication with other law enforcement agencies to which it may refer the case. Ellison’s son, Jeremiah Ellison, is a member of the Minneapolis City Council.

Star Tribune

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