Guest Column by Kurt Freitag

I learned several weeks ago that a website was created that attacked me professionally and personally. This website is full of lies. Steps have been taken to resolve this issue, and I can’t speak further about that. I’ve also been made aware that family members of current Sheriff’s Office employees are circulating copies of the website.

My opponent and his supporters feel that using dirty tactics is their only recourse to win this election. I will continue to run a clean and honest campaign despite their efforts to discredit me.

I want to address several things that were said on this site: My work ethic and productivity was attacked. I won’t go into details, other than to say that I have the numbers to support that those are false allegations. I was involved in three conciliation court cases involving my rental property. These cases involved unpaid rent, damage, etc. I have been divorced twice. In 1998 I was in the National Guard and attended 15 days of annual training. Per state statute 192.26, government employers are required to pay their employees their regular salary while at training. The Sheriff’s Office chose not to pay me and refused even after I provided them with the statute. I filed suit for my net pay only, approximately $670.

The county insurance agent approached me, and we settled without going to court. This site claims I sued to increase my salary. I sued for the net pay I was due. I have said that I will not sue the county for a wage increase, and that is the truth.

I have been an instructor in firearms, use of force and Taser. I left these positions voluntarily, not because I failed, as stated on this website. There is no documentation that would say otherwise. I always received positive feedback from those who attended my training over the years. I performed these duties at my agreed upon compensation, and never asked for any pay beyond that agreement. I drive a squad car for a living.

I spend 10 hours a day in that squad car. In my 21 years driving a squad, I have struck a deer, a duck (yes, a duck), a grass-covered fencepost in the median of Interstate 90 at 5 mph, and I totaled ONE car that I was driving at high speed to assist another officer. The brakes failed, and it was later learned that this specific year of Ford Crown Victoria had documented brake failures. Google “1996 Crown Vic brake issues.”

This site has a list of “quotes by Kurt Freitag.” They are laughable, and that’s all I can say about them. I have made no promises to anyone regarding employment or promotion, other than that everyone will have equal opportunity. My wife, a former police officer in the Twin Cities, would like you to know that she has no interest in another law enforcement position!

Now, on to the most offensive part of this site, titled “Respect for Women.” I have never referred to my daughters as “sluts.” What a horrible accusation from desperate people. The website says “So many women in Freeborn County refer to Freitag as a predator. When you ask the women that know him, most will say they are afraid of him. They say they are afraid of his retaliation and abuse of police power.”

Who are all these women? Are they my friends, co-workers, employees at local businesses, my bank, Kwik Trip employees, women with my sign in their yard? Where are the complaints spanning my employment under three different sheriffs? There must be some, right? There are none, because this isn’t true.

I am a member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, an international organization. We are all licensed peace officers who raise money for charities and do charity work. We are not a “gang” as alleged on this site. Ridiculous.

My work ethic and investigative skills speak for themselves and Sheriff’s Office data support my successful workload over the years. I won’t address the other ridiculous statements and allegations that were made. Everything I’ve said about my opponent I have said publicly, to his face in the public debate on Aug. 6, or in the Tribune, with my name clearly attached. The flaming, near illiterate, coward who authored this site has taken great steps to hide his or her identity. My opponent’s predictable silence regarding this disgusting website indicates that at a minimum, it has his approval or support.

His campaign slogan is “Because Integrity Matters.” He shows that it clearly does not. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

 

Kurt Freitag, a Freeborn County deputy residing in rural Albert Lea, is the challenger in the race for Freeborn County sheriff. The election is Nov. 4.