Alberta MLA arrested in prostitution sting in Minnesota
Posted Jul 16, 2013 5:11 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An Alberta politician has resigned from the governing Conservative caucus after being arrested by Minnesota police in a prostitution sting.
Mike Allen, the member of the legislature for Fort McMurray, was arrested by St. Paul police Monday night.
St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter Mara Gottfried tells 660News Allan was taken into police custody on suspicion of engaging in prostitution.
“Police said that he had responded to an ad that police had placed on a website. He then met two female undercover officers and agreed to pay for sexual services and then police arrested him,” explains Gottfried.
Allen says in a statement that he takes full responsibility for his actions and apologizes to his family, friends, constituents and colleagues.
Tory whip Steve Young says Allen called, told him about the arrest and offered his resignation, which was accepted.
The St. Paul Attorney’s Office will decide whether charges will be laid.
Meanwhile, the opposition Wildrose is calling for Allen to resign his seat in the legislative assembly and force a by-election in Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo.
Leader Danielle Smith says Albertans expect their elected officials to follow a higher ethical standard of behaviour and to obey the law, both of which Mr. Allen failed to do.
Wildrose House Leader Rob Anderson says the people of Fort McMurray must be given the opportunity to select a new representative in a by-election, given the embarrassment Mr. Allen’s conduct has caused for both the province and the city.
