An explanation that does not ring true*

We learned about 4:30 PM on Friday, October 5th, that the Office of Administrative Hearings had issued its Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Order [complete document in pdf form] in the matter of our complaint against Ms. Cave and the Maplewood Firefighters Association, Inc.

From the Conclusions:

4. The Complainants have demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that Respondent Rebecca Cave violated Minn. Stat. § 211B.02 by knowingly making a false claim implying that she was endorsed by the Maplewood Fire Department.
5. The Complainants have demonstrated that Respondent MFA violated Minn. Stat. § 211B.02 by knowingly making a false claim implying that Rebecca Cave has the endorsement of the Maplewood Fire Department.
6. Respondent Rebecca Cave shall be fined $1,000 for the violation.
7. Respondent MFA shall be fined $1,000 for the violation.
[emphasis added]

Here is Chairperson Bob Schmidt's reaction to the ruling:

- What they did was wrong. The courts ruled it was wrong.
- The Maplewood Voters Coalition is striving for an open, honest, process oriented government. Was that HONEST? You decide.
- We fully support individuals on the Police and Fire Departments. We do not in any way find them responsible for the actions of what we believe to be a few.
- As for the name "Maplewood Fire" - this should be reserved for the Maplewood Fire Department - Not Mr. Hjelle.

Board member Christeen Stone added "I guess the injustice of it all was what bothered me most."

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* From the memorandum:

Given that her only explanation for why she claimed to be endorsed by “Maplewood Fire” was space limitation, an explanation that does not ring true, and absent any other testimony from her, the panel concludes that the preponderance of the evidence establishes that Ms. Cave knowingly implied she was endorsed by the Maplewood Fire Department in violation of Minn. Stat. § 211B.02.