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3-6326-16948-CV |
STATE OF
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
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Complainant, vs. Natalie Johnson Lee Campaign, Respondent. |
NOTICE OF AND ORDER FOR EVIDENTIARY
HEARING |
TO: Gregory A. Abbott, Attorney at Law, 4601 Excelsior Boulevard, Suite 407, Minneapolis, MN 55416, and Natalie Johnson Lee Campaign, c/o Kimberly Spates, 1700 Oliver Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
On November 2, 2005, David Weinlick and the Minneapolis DFL Party filed a complaint with the Office of Administrative Hearings alleging that the Respondents violated Minn. Stat. § 211B.15 by accepting contributions from three corporations. On November 3, 2005, Administrative Law Judge Kathleen D. Sheehy determined that the complaint set forth a prima facie violation of Minn. Stat. § 211B.15, and by Order dated November 8, 2005, the Administrative Law Judge found that there is probable cause to believe that Respondent violated Minn. Stat. § 211B.15, subd. 2, by accepting campaign contributions from three corporations.
THEREFORE, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that this matter has been assigned to a panel of three Administrative Law
Judges for an evidentiary hearing. The
assigned Administrative Law Judges are: Kathleen D. Sheehy (presiding Judge), Beverly
Jones Heydinger and Barbara L. Neilson. The
address of the Administrative Law Judges is
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN that this matter is scheduled for an evidentiary hearing to be
held on Thursday, December 1, 2005,
at 9:30 a.m. at the Office of Administrative Hearings. The parties shall exchange copies of their
witness lists and any exhibits they intend to offer at the hearing by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, 2005. The parties shall provide three copies of
their witness lists and three copies of their exhibits to Presiding Judge
If the parties decide that no further testimony is necessary and agree to submit this matter to the panel based on the record created at the probable cause hearing (the tape recording of the hearing, the exhibits, and written submissions) they must notify Judge Sheehy in writing by Monday, November 28, 2005.
At the evidentiary hearing, all parties have the right to be represented by legal counsel, by themselves, or by a person of their choice if not otherwise prohibited as the unauthorized practice of law. In addition, the parties have the right to submit evidence, affidavits, documentation and argument for consideration by the Administrative Law Judges. The panel may consider any evidence and argument submitted until the hearing record is closed. The panel may continue a hearing to enable the parties to submit additional testimony. All hearings must be open to the public.
At any time before an evidentiary hearing begins, a complainant may withdraw a complaint. After the evidentiary hearing begins, however, a complaint filed may only be withdrawn with the permission of the panel.
If the panel determines the complaint is frivolous, it may order the complainant to pay the respondent’s reasonable attorney fees and to pay the costs of the office in the proceeding in which the complaint was dismissed.
The burden of proving the allegations in the complaint is on the complainant. The standard of proof of a violation of section 211B.06, relating to false statements in paid political advertising or campaign material, is clear and convincing evidence. The standard of proof of any other violation of chapter 211A or 211B is a preponderance of the evidence.
At the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, the panel must determine whether the violation alleged in the complaint occurred and must make at least one of the following dispositions:
(1) The panel may dismiss the complaint.
(2) The panel may issue a reprimand.
(3) The panel may find that a statement made in a paid advertisement or campaign material violated section 211B.06.
(4) The panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for any violation of chapter 211A or 211B.
(5) The panel may refer the complaint to the appropriate county attorney.
The panel must dispose of the complaint within three days after the hearing record closes, if an expedited probable cause hearing was required by section 211B.33; or within 14 days after the hearing record closes, if an expedited probable cause hearing was not required by section 211B.33.
A party aggrieved by a final decision on a complaint filed under section 211B.32 is entitled to judicial review of the decision as provided in Minn. Stat. §§ 14.63 to 14.69.
Dated: November 17, 2005
/s/
Raymond R. Krause
RAYMOND
R. KRAUSE
Chief
Administrative Law Judge