The Star Tribune, Minnesota’s largest newspaper, has filed a lawsuit seeking to unseal the divorce records of Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison.
Ellison, who is running for state attorney general, has been accused by his ex-girlfriend Karen Monahan of being abusive toward her. Ellison denies the allegations.
The Star Tribune’s efforts follow those of Alpha News, a right-leaning news and opinion site, to obtain the records.
A hearing on the Alpha News lawsuit has been scheduled for Oct. 9. The Star Tribrune says it has requested its motion to be heard at the same time.
[Mazie Hirono: Domestic violence accusation against Keith Ellison needs to be investigated]
Ellison and his ex-wife, Kim Ellison, divorced in 2012. Kim Ellison has publicly supported her former husband against Monahan’s allegations, saying he “never abused me in any way before, during, or after our marriage.”
“Our divorce simply isn’t the public’s business, and therefore, when we separated, we jointly asked the court to seal the file. Now, one month before a closely contested election for Minnesota attorney general, a conservative group wants to probe our divorce file in search of something to use against Keith in this race. I am disappointed that the Star Tribune would choose to file this motion,” Kim Ellison said in a statement provided to the Star Tribune by her ex-husband’s campaign.
The newspaper argues the records are now a matter of public concern since Kim Ellison has backed her ex-husband amid the allegations.
Kim Ellison, a member of the Minneapolis School Board, said releasing them would violate the privacy of herself and their children.
