A Minnesota administrative law judge has determined there is probable cause to believe Mike Lindell violated state campaign finance laws by distributing free pillows at a public event last month. Judge Nicholas Lienesch issued a four-page ruling Thursday finding sufficient grounds for the complaint to advance to an evidentiary hearing before a three-judge panel. The judge noted that the pillows appeared to have monetary value and were distributed in a manner intended to influence voter behavior.
The complaint was filed by Dan Fiskum, a Democratic state senate candidate, after Lindell threw complimentary pillows to attendees at a Fourth of July parade in Delano, Minnesota. Under Minnesota law, distributing items of monetary value to sway voting is prohibited, though food and beverages under $5 are exempt. Lindell claims the pillows cost $4.90 wholesale and were distributed alongside campaign materials similar to standard promotional items.
Lindell, the MyPillow founder and Republican gubernatorial candidate, dismissed the complaint as baseless on Friday, asserting he had received approval from Minnesota’s campaign finance board prior to the event. He characterized the legal action as a political attack aimed at undermining his campaign momentum. The ruling comes as Lindell competes against multiple Republican and Democratic rivals in upcoming primary and general elections.
Originally reported by Theguardian →
About the Author
