Commissioners Fernando, Lunde Call for Sheriff Hutchinson to Resign

Hennepin County Commissioners Irene Fernando and Jeff Lunde have called for Sheriff Dave Hutchinson to resign immediately.

This follows Hutchinson’s sentencing on several charges related to his drunken driving crash on Dec. 8 near Alexandria. Test results showed the sheriff’s blood alcohol content to be .13 percent, which is higher than the state’s legal limit of .08 percent.

The sheriff was charged with four misdemeanor drunken driving charges. He pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree driving under the influence of alcohol.

Irene Fernando represents District 2 and sent a letter Wednesday evening that called Hutchinson’s actions “egregious” and his comments after the crash “unjustifiable.” A search warrant application revealed that Hutchinson initially denied being the driver of his crashed county-owned vehicle. The warrant also states that an open bottle of bourbon was found in Hutchinson’s vehicle.

 Fernando’s letter reads, “the only way to show respect for the laws he is sworn to uphold is to resign immediately.”

Earlier today, I sent this letter to Sheriff Hutchinson calling on him to resign. His actions on December 8, 2021 are egregious, and his comments since the crash are unjustifiable. The only way to show respect for the laws he is sworn to uphold is to resign immediately. pic.twitter.com/vtdiTywpKi

— Irene Fernando – Hennepin County Commissioner (@HennepinD2) January 5, 2022

Commissioner Jeff Lunde, who represents District 1 and serves as chair of public safety, said in a Tweet that he is in agreement with Fernando and asks Hutchinson to resign.

The tweet reads, “with the current tense climate around public safety, an incident like this involving the head public safety official of Hennepin County needs to be addressed.” Lunde went on to address his position as chair of public safety and said, “I firmly believe increasing trust should be central to all decisions made regarding public safety. Trust needs to be earned, and I know that accountability is central to building and maintaining this trust.”

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