Former GOP Supreme Court Candidate Sentenced to 30 Days House Arrest

By Ben Johnson Thu., Nov. 13 2014 at 7:00 AM

file image

Michelle MacDonald was sentenced to a month of house arrest yesterday

Yesterday former GOP-endorsed state Supreme Court candidate Michelle MacDonald was sentenced to 30 days house arrest and two years probation after she was convicted of several charges stemming from an April 2013 traffic stop.

The sentencing may finally put an end to the surreal saga that pitted MacDonald against embarrassed factions of prominent state Republicans.

The GOP-endorsed Supreme Court candidate -- the party later backed off the endorsement after charges against her were publicized -- was acquitted of a drunken driving charge in a trial last month but found guilty of obstructing the legal process and refusing a breath test. She says she plans to run for the state Supreme Court again and will seek the party's endorsement again.

Despite a string of bad press and lack of party support, MacDonald garnered nearly 47 percent of the vote in her race against incumbent David Lillehaug, astonishing political insiders.

"First I want to make it clear that I was not guilty of DUI," said MacDonald. "I absolutely plan to run again and absolutely plan to seek the GOP nomination...and I absolutely would have won if I had GOP support during the election."

MacDonald received automatic work release as part of her sentencing, meaning she will be able to work at her West St. Paul law firm during her month of house arrest.

We Recommend

Chris Porto

"I want to make it clear I was not guilty of DUI." Considering she wants to be on the MN supreme court and was found guilty of obstruction of justice? I think the DUI would actually have made her look better.

Joel O'Brien

Actually that sentence is pretty much like anyone else in Minnesota would get. I've heard.

Brent Duncan

Anything but "surreal" and definitely not a saga. What a joke. How's this for a headline: "Once again a politician gets off with a slap on the wrist when the rest of us would do time." Or how about "Politician claims she wasn't drinking and driving. More lies to follow."

Dog Gone topcommenter

MacDonald lost -- and I'm betting the MN GOP won't touch her with a ten foot pole next time around.

Wonder how her court ordered psychiatric exam turned out? NOT something that you really want on your resume for the state supreme court -- along with obstruction of justice.

In other MN GOP news, looks like another MN GOP nut job, Roger Weber, running in northern Minneosta for the state House, lost by double digits (around 30%). He was the goof who cut a neighbor's garage in half that was located on disputed land, instead of waiting to go to the scheduled court date.

Minnesota lucked out - and no thanks to the judgement of the MN GOP.

digitalprotocol topcommenter

sounds like she was drunk driving

she ought to be disbarred for this circus

BenJohnson

@Dog Gone I asked about the psychiatric eval. Here's what she said:

“It came back excellent. It said simply that I’m a highly independent person, I’m outspoken and when I see an injustice I don’t go with the crowd, I go with my principles.”

“No indication of depression or anxiety,”

Dog Gone topcommenter

@BenJohnson

Here's what SHE said? SHE WHO? MACDONALD?

You've got to be kidding.

I wouldn't take her word for it that the sun rises in the east without verification.

The wonan's a nut job and her behavior has not been simply highly independent or outspoken or principled.

And her integrity is nil, from what we've seen so far.

Reagan said trust but verify; this is not even remotely a case for trust, it is a case ONLY for verify, independently verify, verify from anyone BUT MacDonald.