Minnesota Report
CAH 28-0320-42006
STATE OF MINNESOTA COURT OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
Shawn Towle,
Complainant,
v.
NOTICE OF AND ORDER
ASSIGNING PANEL FOR
DISPOSITION OF COMPLAINT
Mike Lindell, Phillip C. Parrish, and Lorilee Peterson
Respondent.
On August 21, 2026, Shawn Towle (Complainant) filed a Fair Campaign Practices Complaint (Complaint) with the Court of Administrative Hearings. The Complaint alleges that Mike Lindell (Respondent) violated provisions of the Fair Campaign Practices Act 1 by distributing valuable pillows to voters to support his campaign for election.
On August 26, 2026, Administrative Law Judge Joseph C. Meyer found that the Complaint alleged a prima facie violation of Minn. Stat. § 211B.13 (2026) against Respondent.
2
On September 4, 2026, Judge Meyer held a prehearing conference to schedule an evidentiary hearing under Minn. Stat. § 211B.35.
ORDER
- This matter has been assigned to a panel of three Administrative Law Judges for an evidentiary hearing. The assigned Administrative Law Judges are: Joseph C. Meyer (Presiding Judge), Barbara J. Case, and Nicholas Lienesch (Panel).
1 Minn. Stat. §§ 211A.01-.14, 211B.01-.37 (2026).
2 Notice of Determination of Prima Facie Violation and Order for Prehearing Conference (Prima Facie Order) (August 26, 2026). The Complaint also named Phillip C. Parrish and Lorilee Peterson as respondents. 3. Judge Meyer found that the Complaint did not allege a prima facie violation against Respondent Parrish or Respondent Peterson and dismissed both from this matter. Prima Facie Order. [244188/1] 2
- This matter is scheduled for an in-person evidentiary hearing to be held on: September 23, 2026, commencing 9:30 a.m. at the Court of Administrative Hearings in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Exhibits and Witness Lists. The parties shall file with the Court of Administrative Hearings, and serve on each other, copies of their pre-marked exhibits and witness lists by 4:30 p.m. on September 17, 2026. Complainant should label exhibits sequentially using numbers beginning with 1. Respondent should label exhibits sequentially using letters beginning with A. All subpoena requests must be made and served on the other party by 4:30 p.m. on September 15, 2026. 3 The parties must provide copies of any filings to the opposing party via email and be prepared to show proof of service.
- Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The parties shall notify the Court of Administrative Hearings in writing as soon as possible if any additional accommodation is needed. To request an accommodation, the requesting party shall complete and submit this form: https://mn.gov/cah/lawyers-and-litigants/titleii.jsp. To request the form in paper format, please call 651-361-7900.
- Interpreters. The parties have not requested the appointment of an interpreter. To request an interpreter, please email oah.courtpersonnel@state.mn.us or call 651-361-7900.
- Filing. Any document filed with the Court of Administrative Hearings, or which a party wishes to make part of the record in this matter, may be filed with the Court of Administrative Hearings in any one of the following ways: (1) by eFiling through the Court of Administrative Hearings’ eFiling system at http://mn.gov/cah/forms-andfiling/efiling/; (2) by mail; (3) by fax; or (4) by personal delivery. Filings are effective on the date the Court of Administrative Hearings receives the filing. Although all four filing methods are accepted, the parties are encouraged to utilize eFiling when possible.
- The hearing has been ordered pursuant to the authority granted to the Chief Administrative Law Judge by Minn. Stat. § 211B.35, subd. 1. The hearing will be conducted pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 211B.35 and 211B.36.
HEARING PROCEDURES
At the evidentiary hearing, all parties have the right to be represented by legal counsel, by themselves, or by a person of their choice if not otherwise prohibited as the unauthorized practice of law. In addition, the parties have the right to submit evidence, affidavits, documentation, and argument for consideration by the Panel. The Panel may
3 For good cause, the parties may file an amended exhibits after September 17, 2026, but before the beginning of the hearing, if a party’s subpoena reveals additional relevant information not otherwise available by the initial exhibit deadline.
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consider any evidence and argument submitted until the hearing record is closed. The Panel may continue the hearing to enable the parties to submit additional testimony. All hearings must be open to the public.
WITHDRAWAL OF COMPLAINT
At any time before an evidentiary hearing begins, a complainant may withdraw the complaint. After the evidentiary hearing begins, however, a complaint filed may only be withdrawn with the permission of the Panel.
COSTS
If the Panel determines the complaint is frivolous, it may order the Complainant to pay Respondent’s reasonable attorney fees and to pay the costs of the Court of Administrative Hearings in the proceeding.4
BURDEN OF PROOF
Complainant bears the burden of proof on the allegations in the complaint. The standard of proof of a violation of Minn. Stat. § 211B.13 is preponderance of the evidence.5
DISPOSITION OF COMPLAINT
At the close of the record, the Panel must determine whether the violation alleged in the complaint occurred and must make at least one of the following dispositions: (1) The Panel may dismiss the complaint. (2) The Panel may issue a reprimand. (3) The Panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for any violation of Minn. Stat. Chapter 211A or 211B. (4) The Panel may refer the complaint to the appropriate county attorney.6 The Panel must dispose of the Complaint within three business days after the hearing record closes if Complainant requested an expedited probable cause hearing;7 or within 14 days after the hearing record closes if an expedited probable cause hearing was not required.
8 4 Minn. Stat. § 211B.36, subd. 3.
5 Minn. Stat. § 211B.32, subd. 4.
6 Minn. Stat. § 211B.35, subd. 2.
7 Id., subd. 3(1). 8 Id., subd. 3(2).
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JUDICIAL REVIEW
A party aggrieved by a final decision on a complaint filed under Minn. Stat. § 211B.32 is entitled to judicial review of the decision as provided in Minn. Stat. §§ 14.63 – .69 (2026).9
Dated: September 10, 2026 ____________________________ JESSICA PALMER-DENIG Chief Administrative Law Judge 9 Minn. Stat. § 211B.36 subd. 5.