NEW🧵: I’ve followed the news about @HennepinSheriff Dave Hutchinson’s recent DWI conviction. I pleaded guilty to drinking and driving in March ‘13 after nearly being killed in a car crash. Over the last eight years, I’ve given speeches on the dangers of drinking and driving.

I usually speak to groups who must attend a panel on the dangers of drinking and driving. Many people believe that DWI laws are applied inconsistently, and the “powerful” are treated differently. Unfortunately, Hutchinson’s behavior reinforces this narrative.

While attempting to rebuild his public image after his DWI conviction, Hutchinson’s office has targeted @RebsBrannon - an independent journalist who has broken numerous critical updates about Hutchinson’s drunk driving. Brannon tweeted yesterday about behavior by law enforcement.

It's shocking that the @HennepinSheriff 's office would dispatch local law enforcement to investigate a journalist that has reported critical details on Hutchinson’s drunk driving. @RebsBrannon reporting has brought increased transparency to Hutchinson’s DWI conviction.

Hutchinson should answer why his office is investigating Brannon, as nothing in the public record justifies this conduct. I filed a request for public data today with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Medina Police Department to learn more.

There has been a lack of transparency involving Hutchinson’s DWI conviction, and his recent interviews - coupled with his targeting of a local journalist - raises troubling questions about @HennepinSheriff ’s conduct. The public deserves more answers. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: I received a partial response today to my request for public data about the investigation by @Hennepin and the Medina Police Department into independent photojournalist @RebsBrannon about her reporting on @HennepinSheriff Dave Hutchinson's DWI.

All of the information I received today was from the Medina Police Department. Below is an incident report from Medina with details on the investigation into Brannon. There are numerous items of note in this report.

According to the incident report, Hennepin County Administrator David Hough, Assistant Hennepin County Administrator Public Works Lisa Cerney, and Assistant Hennepin County Administrator for Disparity Reduction Chela Guzmán-Wiegert, were involved in the investigation.

The investigation into Brannon was coordinated by top staff at @Hennepin . Medina police attended an online Microsoft Teams meeting with county staff to share information. The incident report states Medina police were informed Guzmán-Wiegert would be their POC.

According to the report, "members of Hennepin County were concerned because it appeared some items were potentially planted in the squad." There is no evidence to support the claim that Brannon "planted" anything in Hutchinson's vehicle.

I also received a 5-page memo from Lisa Cerney about the "unknown entry" into the public works facility in Medina. In her memo, Cerney notes Hennepin County requested @MnDOT traffic video of the intersection near the public works facility.

@mbrodkorb @RebsBrannon You have to wonder how Hutch answered his background questionnaire when he applied for LEO jobs. They usually asked if you have ever committed any crimes for which you were not caught. Who wants to bet he never said "Oh, I have been driving drunk but so has everyone." 🙄

@mbrodkorb @RebsBrannon I’ll repeat what I stated the morning after. He did what only Dems can get away with in Minnesota.