Here's a very interesting post on our Brain Trust from former Senator Ember Reichgott Junge:
Ethics and Legislator Misconduct: Tread Carefully
I don’t know Rep. Mark Olson well, nor the facts of the recent domestic abuse allegations against him. I do know about managing senate ethics investigations, having co-chaired eight of them involving my DFL senate colleagues in the mid-1990’s.
My recommendation to House leadership: be thoughtful and let due process be your guide. This is no place for grandstanding.
The court proceeding is not yet resolved, and there is no ethics complaint filed against Mark Olson. Olson has had no forum to be heard. Yet, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert took strong action against his fellow Republican caucus member by removing his staff and committee status. Due process was left in the dust, seemingly to make a political point.
What happens if Mark Olson is convicted of a felony in court? He must resign his office. There’s no legal question about that. But what about a misdemeanor? His political future could be up to his colleagues. Rep. Olson may make the decision himself, and tender his resignation. If he chooses to serve, he will likely face an ethics complaint against him.