In August, it became public knowledge that Benson was under investigation into whether he failed to pay federal taxes withheld for employees at his private Minneapolis-based criminal defense firm, Kassius Benson Law. C11, Hennepin County Government Center Public Safety Facility Brookdale Courthouse Ridgedale Courthouse Self-Help Center services are available by phone and email, as well as in person. August 15, 2022 5:00 AM. Call child protection services at 612-348-3552. Contact Editor Patrick Coolican for questions: info@minnesotareformer.com. Moriarty, who in 2014 became the. Moriarty says the office needs to improve the analysis of its own data in order to reform the criminal justice system. Jill Hermanutz Online search. The public defender's office represents criminal defendants who cannot afford attorneys. Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Kassius Benson has made the decision to resign, Minnesota's Chief Public Defender Bill Ward confirmed on Monday. Hennepin County aimed to reduce bench warrants for people who fail to appear in court by reducing transportations barriers. The Hennepin County chief public defender resigned Monday afternoon amid a federal investigation into allegations of tax evasion. Reference copies of the booklet are available at Hennepin County Library. Mike Freeman Hennepin County Public Defender's Office Address: 701 4th Avenue South, Suite 1400. The federal affidavit, initially filed under seal, sought access to servers containing payroll records from Benson's firm dating to 2013. Send this article to anyone, no subscription is necessary to view it, Anyone can read, no subscription required, See Experience Hennepin County Public Defender's Office August 2014 - Present Fourth Judicial District Court August 2012 - August 2014 Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt May 2012 - July 2012 Hennepin County Attorney's Office September 2011 - May 2012 Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners January 2011 - May 2012 Hon. He reported no employees in 2014 and didn't issue any W-2 forms. 5 Hennepin County Public Defender reviews. Benson started as Hennepin Countys Public Defender in January 2021, according to his private law firm website. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. She will proceed to a run-off in November, when she will take on Martha Holton Dimick, who finished second in Tuesday's vote. Hennepin County Public Defenders New York University School of Law Activity A nice surprise to be shortlisted for 'Government and Third Sector Junior of the Year'! 'Lake Chipotle' floods south Minneapolis parking lot early this year, Instructor who showed Prophet Muhammad images sues; Hamline says response 'flawed', Chauvin's attorney makes case for new trial to Minn. Court of Appeals, Mall of America shooting death suspect and his mother arrested. And were free. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. No paywall. Download a brief overview of Hennepin County Public Health programs and initiatives (PDF). Her leave is in place "pending a review of issues that have been . "I understand the concern. Parents with children in the child protection system can get legal representation. Bob Kolstad, who has been the public defenders' union steward since 2016 and with the office since 2010, said that while many young lawyers who looked up to Benson as a mentor will be sad to see him go, many lawyers already have left under Benson. "The only person that should be concerned about that is me, and I have zero concerns," he said. Attorney General Keith Ellison on Thursday called for the Minnesota Board of Public Defense to examine the process that led to the suspension of Hennepin County's chief public defender, saying . "I don't use any PD (public defender) resources. 611.263 EMPLOYER; RAMSEY, HENNEPIN DEFENDERS. Do not delay. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Visit Healthy You, Health Hennepin to read stories happening in the county. In Minneapolis, the Public Defender Office provides legal representation to individuals facing incarceration without the financial means to hire their own lawyer. In an email, Ward noted that Benson had accomplished a great deal in his short time as Chief Public Defender in Hennepin County/4th Judicial District, including increased the diversity of our staff, and increased diversity in our management ranks., Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555, This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. She said the drive to remove her, which began late last year when she was put on paid administrative leave, was a direct result of her pointing out racial inequities and publicly criticizing other actors in the judicial system, particularly Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman. Were in the halls of government tracking what elected officials are up to and monitoring the powerful forces trying to influence them. elected to that position in May, will appoint two ad hoc members to the board for the purposes of choosing the next chief Hennepin County public defender. Despite holding a full-time government job for 18 months, Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Kassius Benson has continued to represent private clients, a practice that may be illegal.. State Public Defender William Ward, who oversees all of Minnesota's districts, said it's ethical and prudent for a new chief public defender to wind down a private practice. Minnesotas top public defender reappointed over objections, Public defenders vote to strike; justice system could come, Text of President Biden's first State of the Union address. Were in the halls of government tracking what elected officials are up to and monitoring the powerful forces trying to influence them. Kassius Benson was pulled over in Wayzata around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. Kolstad said that lawyers would like to have input into the process of deciding who becomes the interim chief and, ultimately, Benson's replacement. Ward previously told the Star Tribune that he was unaware of the federal investigation into Benson before hiring him to lead the state's largest public defender office in January 2021. Update Now Law Firm Info People Attorneys Ellen J Baudler Mark R Bearss Renee J Bergeron Craig Boone William J Briere James C Burseth In an email to the Star Tribune, Benson confirmed that he provided a notice of resignation and forwarded it to Ward on Monday afternoon. The citation lists his blood alcohol content at .13, nearly twice the legal limit. The Fourth Judicial District (Hennepin County) Public Defender Office is the largest in the state with 200 employees and an annual budget of more than $20 million. As a mandated reporter, your name is confidential, accessible only if you consent, by a court order or by a court procedure. Browse the directory below for child protection and children's services staff. In a civil petition filed last week, Benson alleges the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop and arrest him for DWI. My commitment to this work will simply continue in a different capacity.". We host students enrolled in a public health discipline: nursing, advanced practice nursing, physician assistant, community health worker, environmental health, and dietetics. After the decision, which followed a contentious pair of meetings of the the Minnesota Board of Public Defense, Moriarty told the Reformer that despite the setback she will seek her own job again when the current term finishes at the end of the year. Call to make a child protection report: 612-348-3552. Kassius Benson sent emails to staff and State Public. October 17, 2022 - 2:43 PM. The mission of child protection is to prevent any future maltreatment (abuse or neglect). No paywall. Find child protection data, trends and analysis: Learn more about work to transform county services and supports for children and families: Children and family services staff directory, Be@School program (Hennepin County Attorney), Learn more about foster care and adoption, Learn about free lawyers for eligible clients, Read more on the Hennepin County Attorney's be@school webpage, Annual reports: Child protection and child well-being, Children and Family Services 2021 annual report (PDF), Children and Family Services 2020 annual report (PDF), Child protection 2019 annual report (PDF), Child protection 2019 annual report (Spanish) (PDF), Child Well-Being 2022 annual report (PDF), Child Well-Being 2021 annual report (PDF), Child Well-Being 2020 annual report (PDF), Child Well-Being Advisory Committee: 2018 report (PDF), Information about the family, including the names and addresses of the child and parents, Specific descriptions of the suspected abuse and neglect to the child, including what happened, when it occurred and the identity of the abuser, Names of other family and household members, Supply the child with the necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical or mental health care or appropriate supervision, Protect the child from conditions or actions that endanger the child. "I haven't seen the morale in our office any lower," Kolstad said. According to court documents the Star Tribune first reported in August, Benson allegedly withheld payroll taxes from his employees but didnt turn over the money to the government. Provided by KARE-TV Minneapolis-St.. What we saw today struck completely against the overwhelming outcry of the community, he said. Freeman's office then filed identical notices for every case assigned to Koch being prosecuted by his office. Privacy Policy Find 6 Public Defender Offices within 46.1 miles of Hennepin County Public Defender. Star Tribune staff writer Rochelle Olson contributed to this report. Hennepin County Chief Public Defender Kassius Benson has made the decision to resign, Minnesotas Chief Public Defender Bill Ward confirmed on Monday. Ward called Moriarty a gifted litigator but presented his argument against her in a. . "It is about questionable management decisions, Ward said. The county's natural areas are covered with . They're overworked. The public defenders' negotiating committee and the state's Board of Public Defense reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract early Saturday, averting a strike that threatened to jam up the already backlogged court system. "Mr. Benson should, rightfully, be proud of the work he has accomplished on behalf of the indigent accused," Ward wrote. With two new members in play for a potential future vote, the outcome would be far from a foregone conclusion. Contact your probation officer poconnect@hennepin.us Close all Service changes "Clearly, he's violating the law by continuing the private practice," said David Schultz, Hamline University professor of political science and legal studies. Ward called Moriarty a gifted litigator but presented his argument against her in a 16 page memo. Mary Moriarty isn't sure whether or when she'll be back. 350 South 5th Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 Map MnDOT closes Cedar-Riverside homeless encampment in Mpls. Bensons arraignment is scheduled in December in the Second Judicial District. The Minnesota Board of Public Defense released a statement from . > Additionally, every speaker during the hour long public comment period Wednesday spoke in her favor. . Benson paid gross wages of $710,079, but withheld $159,262 in total employment taxes from his employees and failed to turn over the money to the government, the affidavit said. With two new members in play for a potential future vote, the outcome would be far from a foregone conclusion. . "I know that I have served the position of Chief well," Benson wrote. "The email is my comment on the resignation at this time," he said. We do outreach to high school students and to others who may be interested in the public health field. Monday's rain, along with three consecutive days of temperatures above freezing, has led to big puddles across the Twin Cities notably the infamous "Lake. Call to make a child protection report: 612-348-3552. Call 612-348-8900with general questions about the department. Carlson didn't return a call seeking comment. Hennepin County Bar Association | 600 Nicollet Mall Suite 390, Minneapolis . I've never suggested to any chief, including you, that we needed to get along just to get along. No criminal charges have been filed against Benson at this time. by Jared Goyette, Minnesota Reformer September 30, 2020. Become a sustainer today to fuel MPR News all year long. Retired judge Martha Holton Dimick (left) will face former chief public defender Mary Moriarty in the November general election for Hennepin County attorney. by Hibah Ansari July 27, 2022. Call 612-348-3552 within 24 hours and personally file a written report within 72 hours of the verbal report (excluding weekends and holidays). Moriarty previously served as the Chief Public Defender of Hennepin County. 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