Minnesota Court Lets Craig’s Guilty Plea Stand

10 Dec 2008 // The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday denied outgoing Sen. Larry E. Craig ’s request to withdraw the August 2007 guilty plea to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge that ended the Idaho Republican’s political career.

The appeals court issued a 10-page opinion affirming Hennepin County District Court Judge Charles A. Porter Jr.’s Oct. 4, 2007, decision not to bar Craig from withdrawing his guilty plea.

Craig pleaded guilty in August 2007 to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge after an undercover police officer interpreted some of the senator’s actions in an restroom at the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport as a solicitation for sex.

“I disagree with their conclusion and remain steadfast in my belief that nothing criminal or improper occurred at the Minneapolis airport,” Craig said. “I maintain my innocence and currently my attorneys and I are reviewing the decision and looking into the possibility of appealing.”

Craig, who drew harsh criticism from his fellow Republicans after his guilty plea came to light, later decided to withdraw the plea but Porter blocked him from doing so and Craig appealed.

“Appellant has not shown that the district court abused its discretion in denying his petition to withdraw his guilty plea,” the court ruled.

Craig initially said he planned to resign but later decided to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in January, and to forgo running for re-election. Idaho Lt. Gov. Jim Risch defeated Democrat Larry LaRocco to succeed Craig.

The Senate Ethics Committee admonished Craig in February, saying he brought discredit upon the institution through his actions in the airport, his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea and his unapproved use of campaign funds to pay lawyers.

A three-judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case Sept. 10.