Letter to the editor: Lillie owes new neighbors explanation behind scandals

Marissa Novak’s Sept. 19 letter to the editor took previous letter writers to task for not “welcoming” new Woodbury resident and current Lake Elmo Sen. Ted Lillie to our community. I agree with Ms. Novak that “it’s a tradition for Woodbury citizens to welcome new neighbors,” even when that new neighbor moves here solely to take advantage of running in an open Senate seat. So I extend a hearty “welcome” to new neighbor Lillie. Having said that, I also welcome Mr. Lillie’s explanation about his questionable role in several Minnesota Senate scandals – scandals Lillie has gladly billed to Woodbury taxpayers.

First, why does Lillie, who is the assistant leader of the Senate Republican Caucus, expect taxpayers to pay legal bills of $103,000 (and counting) associated with the GOP Sen. Amy Koch-Michael Brodkorb sex scandal? Why hasn’t Lillie demanded that a private legal defense fund be set up so Woodbury taxpayers don’t have to fork over their hard earned money to pay for his caucus and party’s sex scandal?

Second, I welcome Mr. Lillie’s answer to why, according to a July Fox 9 investigative news report, he was one of two Republican senators who used the State Capitol building as a staging ground for campaign activities? It was my understanding that taxpayer dollars could not be used for such purposes, so what made Lillie think he could ignore the law?

Third, I welcome Mr. Lillie’s response to why a three-judge panel recently found him guilty and fined him for – once again – inappropriately using taxpayer dollars, this time to fund campaign activities during last winter’s precinct caucuses. Does Mr. Lillie think that Woodbury taxpayers exist for his sole benefit?

So, welcome to Woodbury, Mr. Lillie. And I also welcome an explanation about your participation and role in these taxpayer-funded Republican Senate scandals.

Leslie Thompson - Woodbury

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, elections, updates