With less than two weeks before the Nov. 5 general election, the Faribault County commissioner’s race in District 1 involves some mystery.
Chief Deputy Scott Adams says the sheriff’s office is trying to determine who is responsible for a letter spreading false accusations about incumbent John Roper and challenger Gertrude Paschke.
“We are at the beginning stages of investigating it,” says Adams. “Contents of the letter involve slander.”
Letters reportedly have been sent to city and county officials, as well as some owners of businesses in the county.
The person who wrote the letter claims to be Roper’s son, David, but Adams says that is not true.
Adams would not say how many letters have been turned over to county authorities.
Roper, who is vice chairman of the County Board, has been a commissioner since being elected in 2009 to the four-year post.
Before deciding to seek the commission seat, Paschke completed three years of a four-year term as county assessor. She retired at the end of 2023.
District 1 consists of: Ward 3 of Blue Earth; cities of Elmore and Frost; and townships of Blue Earth, Elmore, Emerald and Rome.
Anyone receiving a letter should contact the sheriff’s office at (507) 526-5148.