State Integrity.org
grades each individual state of the union on the probability and actual reports
of corrupt activity, and Minnesota ranks near the bottom of the barrel. The
scorecards are comprised of data-driven analysis, grading each state from a
perfect A to a complete failure F. Actual cases, campaign finance, ethic laws,
and lobbying regulations are just a few indicator areas used to make a
determination on how likely corruption can occur in any given state. Minnesota
has been given an overall grade of a D+, but it is the sub categories that tell
the real story. What brings the overall grade to a basement level status is the
F for judicial accountability, the F for ethics enforcement, and a D- for
Legislative accountability. The scorecard project is funded by the Omidyar
Network, Rita Allen Foundation, Rockefeller Family Fund and the Wyncote
Foundation with partners in the project being the Center for Public Integrity,
Global Integrity and Public Radio International. The ratings are conducted by
journalists in each state who perform research and interviews to comprise an
accurate score. The very low ratings Minnesota received are understandable once
the revelation is unfolded of a system that refuses to hold individuals
accountable for their actions.
The most startling law (or absence there of) in Minnesota is regarding the legal system when it comes to concerns of corrupt actions and illegal activity being taken at the county level. Outer Boundary Magazine questioned the State of Minnesota Office of the Attorney General to find out what steps the State of Minnesota takes when a rouge county attorney (or those working on his/her behalf) operates outside of the law and violates state law when attempting to gain a conviction. As it turns out, the Minnesota State Attorney General has no authority or jurisdiction over illegal or corrupt activity performed by any county attorney…no matter how severe and grotesque the action may be. In fact, the only recourse any individual has when dealing with a corrupt county attorney, or assistant county attorney, is to report the incident to the same county attorney and hope an investigation into themselves (along with subsequent charges) will happen. Or the victim can approach the County Board with the issue in hopes they would withhold some money from the county attorney’s budget for retribution since county attorneys are elected to their positions.
The direct impact of corrupt actions aimed at individuals leaves the target with a complete sense of loss and despair, feeling hopeless as potential avenues to highlight the life torturing actions remains blind, impotent and unwilling to probe into the situations without undisputable and unattainable proof from those being suppressed. Whether it is collusion, or past experienced intimidation from the same forces reeking havoc on a victim, it does not negate every journalist’s responsibility and duty, regardless the medium, to expose corruption and illicit activity by any government sector. Outer Boundary Magazine was privy to witnessing an obvious abuse of the legal system in Minnesota and attempted to provide the actual facts for consideration to Dodge County prosecutor ReMine, investigator Rose and attorney Brian Weber with no reciprocating interest…but before we get into the present let’s first visit the past.
The most startling law (or absence there of) in Minnesota is regarding the legal system when it comes to concerns of corrupt actions and illegal activity being taken at the county level. Outer Boundary Magazine questioned the State of Minnesota Office of the Attorney General to find out what steps the State of Minnesota takes when a rouge county attorney (or those working on his/her behalf) operates outside of the law and violates state law when attempting to gain a conviction. As it turns out, the Minnesota State Attorney General has no authority or jurisdiction over illegal or corrupt activity performed by any county attorney…no matter how severe and grotesque the action may be. In fact, the only recourse any individual has when dealing with a corrupt county attorney, or assistant county attorney, is to report the incident to the same county attorney and hope an investigation into themselves (along with subsequent charges) will happen. Or the victim can approach the County Board with the issue in hopes they would withhold some money from the county attorney’s budget for retribution since county attorneys are elected to their positions.
The direct impact of corrupt actions aimed at individuals leaves the target with a complete sense of loss and despair, feeling hopeless as potential avenues to highlight the life torturing actions remains blind, impotent and unwilling to probe into the situations without undisputable and unattainable proof from those being suppressed. Whether it is collusion, or past experienced intimidation from the same forces reeking havoc on a victim, it does not negate every journalist’s responsibility and duty, regardless the medium, to expose corruption and illicit activity by any government sector. Outer Boundary Magazine was privy to witnessing an obvious abuse of the legal system in Minnesota and attempted to provide the actual facts for consideration to Dodge County prosecutor ReMine, investigator Rose and attorney Brian Weber with no reciprocating interest…but before we get into the present let’s first visit the past.
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