No charges against Hackbarth

St. Paul prosecutors have decided not to file charges against a state lawmaker who had a run-in with police last month.

Police briefly detained Republican Representative Tom Hackbarth of Cedar, after he was seen on a St. Paul parking lot surveillance camera with a holstered handgun. Investigators said there were inconsistencies in Hackbarth's claim that he was looking for a woman he was dating. But City Attorney Sara Grewing said today the case is closed.

"We're incredibly disappointed that Rep. Hackbarth was less than honest with the St. Paul police department," Grewing said. "But as far as having a charge that we could prove beyond a reasonable doubt, the facts just aren't there."

There have already been political consequences for Hackbarth, who last week resigned his chairmanship of the House environment, energy and natural resources committee. He issued a statement apologizing for his behavior.

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