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Resident files harassment complaint against city attorney; attorney reads apology into record
Summary
A resident, Rhonda Benedix, filed a formal complaint alleging misconduct by City Attorney Chelsea Nelson at a July council meeting; Nelson read a written apology on the record and denied charging after the resident.
A public complaint filed with the city alleging misconduct by City Attorney Chelsea Nelson was presented at Thursday’s International Falls City Council meeting and summarized by the complainant during open forum.
Rhonda Benedix (address given in public comment) said she filed a written complaint dated Aug. 25 claiming Nelson engaged in “misconduct and insubordination” during a July 14 special council meeting. Benedix described being publicly singled out at that earlier meeting and said she refused an in-person discussion with Nelson afterward. Benedix told the council she intended the complaint to be part of the public record and said she may pursue complaints with higher authorities if the matter continued.
City Attorney Chelsea Nelson addressed the council and asked that her apology message be read into the record. Nelson read a statement saying she was sorry that Benedix “felt I went after you last Monday” and that she did not intend to cause that feeling. Nelson’s statement said she stood ready to meet with Benedix in person if Benedix wished, or to refrain from meeting if Benedix preferred, and that she did not mean to discredit Benedix’s feelings.
Nelson also said she did not leave the meeting and then charge after Benedix as the complaint alleges and reiterated that she was sorry if Benedix felt targeted.
Council minutes record receipt of the complaint and the attorney’s on-the-record statement; no council action or formal investigation announcement was made at the meeting.
