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Tim Pugmire
St. Paul

Lawmakers won't fight fines for 'making out' in park

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Rep. Tim Kelly, left, and Rep. Tara Mack
Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing, and Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, received citations for "committing an act that constitutes a nuisance" in a public park. The address of the incident was Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan.
Courtesy Minnesota House of Representatives

Two Minnesota lawmakers ticketed for "making out" in a public park say they no longer plan to fight the citations and will instead pay the fines.

Reps. Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing, and Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley were ticketed last week for "committing an act that constitutes a nuisance" in a Dakota County park. A county officer noted in his paperwork that the two were making out and that Mack was partially unclothed when he approached the parked car.

The two strongly denied the report and accused the park ranger who cited them of lying. Kelly had said he met Mack in the park to pick up documents. On Wednesday, both vowed to file a complaint with the Dakota County Sheriff's Office.

On Friday afternoon, however, Kelly, who chairs the House Transportation Policy and Finance, issued this statement:

Over the last several days my wife and I, along with our children, have received numerous emails, text messages and phone calls. We are extremely grateful for this overwhelming support which is both humbling and reassuring.

I understand being in the public eye but this has an impact on my family which I'm not willing to accept. It is time to move forward. Although I still do not agree with what was written in the report I have settled this parking/nuisance citation and have paid the fine.

Mack issued a similar statement on Friday:

While I disagree with some of the details of the park ranger's notes, I have decided not to file a formal complaint and instead pay the citation. With the loving support of so many, I'm moving on to focus my time and attention on my marriage, my family and those in my community.