Minnesota House passes bill to fund AG’s office for prosecution of violent crimes

The Minnesota House advanced a bill Monday night that would provide support to Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office for prosecuting violent crimes.

The bill passed 73-55. 

The AG’s office has prosecuted violent crime cases such as homicide or sexual conduct for counties that lacked sufficient resources, including Le Sueur, Cottonwood, and Freeborn counties. 

Ellison had been unable for four years to persuade a divided Legislature to give him more money to add more prosecutors. 

Lawmakers say the funding closes a critical gap needed to address and prosecute violent crime.  The bill will let Ellison hire around seven new attorneys, and he said he hopes to add them in the next six to eight weeks. 

The bill goes to Governor Walz now for his signature.

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