Outside firm will investigate allegations against Rep. Cornish

Rep. Tony Cornish
Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder, during a Minnesota house public safety committee hearing, March 19, 2013.
Jim Mone | AP 2013

Minnesota House leaders plan to hire an outside firm to conduct an investigation into sexual harassment allegations made against GOP Rep. Tony Cornish.

House speaker Kurt Daudt and Minority Leader Melissa Hortman agreed to the move in a meeting Friday afternoon.

Earlier this week, Speaker Daudt removed Cornish as chair of the House Public Safety Committee.

Cornish faces accusations he propositioned a lobbyist and sent text messages commenting on a DFL lawmaker's body. Cornish has denied harassing anyone.

Daudt says the House will also go ahead with plans for mandatory discrimination and harassment training.

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