15-6361-19193-CV

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

Robert Schmidt, individually and as Chairperson of Maplewood Voters Coalition, Complainant, vs. Candidate Rebecca Cave and the Maplewood Firefighters Association, Inc., Respondents.

NOTICE OF AND ORDER FOR EVIDENTIARY HEARING

TO: Robert Schmidt, individually and as Chairperson, Maplewood Voters Coalition, P.O. Box 9849, Maplewood, MN 55109-0849; Rebecca Cave, 2020 Prosperity Road, Maplewood, MN 55109; and Erik Hjelle, Member, Maplewood Firefighters Association, Inc., 874 Sterling Street South, Maplewood, MN 55119.

On September 6, 2007, Robert Schmidt, individually and as Chairperson of the Maplewood Voters Coalition, filed a Complaint with the Office of Administrative Hearings alleging the Respondents violated Minn. Stat. § 211B.02 by preparing lawn signs and disseminating campaign material that falsely implies that the Maplewood Fire Department endorses Rebecca Cave’s candidacy for Maplewood City Council. On September 7, 2007, Administrative Law Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger determined that the Complaint set forth prima facie violations of Minn. Stat. § 211B.02. On September 11, 2007, a probable cause hearing was conducted by telephone conference call, and by Order dated September 14, 2007, Administrative Law Judge Heydinger found that there is probable cause to believe that the Respondents violated Minn. Stat. § 211B.02.

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: Beverly Jones Heydinger (Presiding Judge), Kathleen D. Sheehy, and Bruce H. Johnson. As of September 24, 2007, the Office of Administrative Hearings will be located at 600 North Robert Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. However, all mail to the Office should be addressed to: Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 64620, St. Paul, MN 55164-06120. As of September 24, 2007, the Administrative Law Judges may be reached at telephone number 651-361-7900, and the Office’s fax number is 651-361-7936.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that this matter is scheduled for an evidentiary hearing to be held on Monday, October 1, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., at the Office of Administrative Hearings, 600 North Robert Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. The parties shall exchange copies of their witness lists and any exhibits they intend to offer at the hearing by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2007. The parties shall provide three copies of their witness lists and premarked exhibits to Presiding Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger by 1:00 p.m. on September 27, 2007.

The hearing has been ordered pursuant to the authority granted to the Chief Administrative Law Judge by Minn. Stat. § 211B.35, subd. 1. The hearing will be conducted pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 211B.35 and 211B.36. Information about the evidentiary hearing and copies of state statutes and rules may be obtained online at www.oah.state.mn.us and www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us. The Office of Administrative Hearings conducts proceedings in accordance with the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct and the Professionalism Aspirations adopted by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

HEARING PROCEDURES

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.

WITHDRAWAL OF COMPLAINT

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.

COSTS

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.

BURDEN OF PROOF

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.

DISPOSITION OF COMPLAINT

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.

JUDICIAL REVIEW

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: September 18, 2007

/s/ Raymond R. Krause______

RAYMOND R. KRAUSE

Chief Administrative Law Judge