Former Minnesota deputy Commerce commissioner pleads guilty in prostitution sting

A former deputy commissioner with the Minnesota Department of Commerce pleaded guilty to soliciting a prostitute during an undercover sting earlier this year.

Michael S. Deal, 47, of Litchfield, entered his guilty plea electronically in Ramsey County District Court instead of appearing at a Monday hearing. Deal's plea agreement bumped his original charge from a gross misdemeanor to a misdemeanor.

The agreement called for a sentence of a year of probation, a fine of $586, a $500 penalty assessment and conditions that he remain law-abiding, according to court documents. A violation could enact a stayed sentence of 90 days in jail.

He was arrested in early March during a St. Paul undercover operation. His post with the commerce department ended soon after.

According to his LinkedIn page, Deal was deputy commissioner for financial institutions and previously worked in the banking sector for nearly 20 years. He was community bank president at Bank Midwest in New Ulm, Minn., and had a stint with Bremer Bank as a senior credit analyst and loan officer.

Deal's attorney did not return a message seeking comment Monday.

Chao Xiong