State Rep. Matt Grossell was cited last weekend in northern Minnesota with three misdemeanors for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
Republican lawmaker Matt Grossell cited for DWI in northern Minnesota
Grossell's attorney said in a statement that the lawmaker was stopped for speeding, and that during the stop he was suspected of driving while impaired.
February 18, 2023 at 6:05PM
According to court documents, Grossell, R-Clearbrook, was cited Feb. 11 just before 2:40 a.m. west of Clearbrook, a few miles from his home. His blood alcohol level was measured at .15%, above the .08% limit.
Grossell received three citations for driving while intoxicated, including: operating a vehicle with too-high alcohol content; fourth-degree driving while impaired; and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Grossell's attorney Alex Rogosheske provided a statement Friday night confirming the lawmaker was stopped for speeding, and that during the stop he was suspected of driving while impaired.
Grossell was arrested and released after submitting to a breathalyzer test, according to the statement. Grossell did not respond to an email request for comment. His arraignment is set for March 15.
Grossell has been arrested in the past for drunken incidents. In May 2019, he was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing after he repeatedly shoved and grappled with a security guard at a hotel bar near the Capitol during that year's legislative session. When police found him intoxicated, he was taken to Regions Hospital but then refused to leave and was brought to jail.
According to police reports, Grossell walked into St. Paul police headquarters after he got out of jail and told an officer working the front desk that he is a state representative and former sheriff (he was a sheriff's deputy). He stated that he did not know why he was arrested, but that "it will be hell to pay."
He later reached an agreement allowing him to avoid any convictions by completing a six-month court diversion program. Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, removed Grossell from the House's Public Safety and Judiciary committees in response to the incident. He has since been reelected twice, in 2020 and 2022, to represent parts of Beltrami, Clearwater and Lake of the Woods counties.
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