FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrew Wagner
651-895-2451 (cell)
Andrew.Wagner@house.mn
News Release
NOVOTNY CALLS ON MN FREEDOM FUND TO END BAILOUTS FOR VIOLENT OFFENDERS
ELK RIVER, MN — Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, a retired 30 year veteran of the Sherburne County Sheriffs office, and member of the House Public Safety Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Minnesota Freedom Fund. The Minnesota Freedom Fund confirmed reports this weekend that George Howard, who was arrested and charged with the murder of Luis Martinez Ortiz in a road rage incident last month, was an individual bailed out by their organization. Howard had been in jail on domestic assault charges since August 5 and was bailed out just 18 days before he allegedly shot and killed of Ortiz.
"I am calling on the MN Freedom Fund to immediately halt bail payments for violent offenders, especially for those with histories of domestic violence. It's unconscionable to be putting victims back in harms way by bailing out their abusers and putting lives at risk by putting dangerous criminals back on the streets," Novotny said.
"As a longtime member of law enforcement, I have defended our constitutional principles of due process for my entire career. But the MN Freedom Fund's decision to bail out any and all criminals, regardless of criminal history, gives those individuals a blank check and zero accountability to follow the law and show up for their court date once out on bail. Violating the terms of their release has no consequence financially for those individuals, and it has devastating consequences for families who will never see their loved one again, victims who live in fear when their abuser is released from jail, and more. While the MN Freedom Fund has the legal right to use the millions of dollars they raise from celebrities and Democrat politicians — including Vice President Kamala Harris — they should pause and reflect whether their opposition to bail outweighs the need to keep Minnesotans safe."
Rep. Novotny chief authored legislation (HF128) last session to increase transparency for people or organizations who bail out individuals in custody for violent crimes.
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