Judge finds Mike Lindell may have violated election laws with MyPillow handout
Mike Lindell proposes eliminating state income tax
Mike Lindell, a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor endorsed by President Trump but not the state GOP, joined FOX 9 All Day ahead of the primary. He discussed his budget proposal to eliminate Minnesota's state income tax and said savings from direct primary care and other changes would help cover the cost. Lindell also addressed questions about his residency, immigration, MyPillow and bipartisan cooperation.
DELANO, Minn. (FOX 9) - A Minnesota judge has found there is probable cause to believe Mike Lindell, former MyPillow CEO, violated campaign finance rules when he tossed out pillows during a parade in Delano.
READ MORE: Mike Lindell violated campaign laws with MyPillow handout, complaint alleges
Pillow-tossing at parade under investigation
Big picture view:
The complaint centers on Lindell and his supporters tossing out MyPillows at a July 4 parade in Delano.
Lindell, who is running for governor of Minnesota, stepped down as CEO of My Pillow last week.
The pillows are typically sold at about $35, meaning that giving them away at campaign events could be considered a violation of the state's bribery laws.
The complaint shows that Lindell did not dispute that the campaign distributed them along with campaign literature.
Lindell also testified that the campaign paid $4.90 wholesale per pillow and that comparable pillows could be purchased individually for $9.95 with a promo code.
READ MORE: Mike Lindell wants to eliminate Minnesota's income tax in budget proposal: Full interview
By the numbers:
State statutes prohibit giving voters money, food, clothing, entertainment, or another "thing of monetary value" that is meant to influence a voter to vote a certain way.
The statute does contain a specific exception for food and nonalcoholic refreshments worth $5 or less when consumed at certain gatherings, but there is no comparable $5 exemption for pillows.
What's next:
The case will now be referred to the state's chief administrative law judge, who will assign it to a panel of three judges for an evidentiary hearing.
The details of that assignment and hearing will be ordered separately.
The Source: This story uses information gathered from the State of Minnesota Court of Administrative Hearings and footage from a July 4 parade in Delano.