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Police say Minnesota state lawmaker Matt Grossell was arrested when he refused to leave a St. Paul hospital where he was taken after allegedly causing a ruckus at a hotel bar.

St. Paul police said in a news release Sunday that officers were called to the Best Western Plus Capitol Ridge about 1 a.m. Saturday after hotel security complained that an intoxicated man was acting disorderly in the bar area. 

Officers called paramedics after determining the 53-year-old Grossell, a Republican representative from Clearbrook, could not care for himself.

Grossell was transported to Regions Hospital, where he was checked out and cleared. Police said Grossell was argumentative with staff and, after refusing to leave, he was taken to jail for trespassing.

He was released a couple of hours later on a promise to appear in court.

Grossell, a retired Clearwater County sheriff's deputy, issued the following statement via email: "Saturday morning, I received a citation in St. Paul. I apologize to my family, my constituents, my colleagues, and my friends. As a retired deputy sheriff, I will fully cooperate with any next steps."

A spokesman for Grossell said the lawmaker would have no further comment.

Grossell has represented his northwestern Minnesota district in the state House since 2017.

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Police say Minnesota state lawmaker Matt Grossell was arrested when he refused to leave a St. Paul hospital where he was taken after allegedly causing a ruckus at a hotel bar.


Minnesota lawmaker arrested after alleged disturbances at hotel, hospital

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