Jim Rostberg was a Minnesota state representative. In 2000, he was arrested and charged with three counts of criminal sexual conduct. The complaint alleged repeated sexual assaults of a child, the daughter of family friends, over several years. The child was fourteen when Rostberg was arrested. When her mother confronted him, Rostberg said he felt bad about it.
Two charges were dropped in order to focus on the third. The girl developed an eating disorder thanks to the publicity, his accusations this was a political stunt, and anxiety about testifying. The final charge was dismissed after Rostberg admitted to the elements of the crime in court. The case was moved to Juvenile Court so not open to the public and the records are sealed.
There are almost no internet records of this case except in books and PDFs. Thankfully, there a physical newspaper archives.
- MPR: Legislator Arrested
March 23-29, 2016
Saint Cloud, Minnesota · Friday, March 03, 2000
Winona, Minnesota · Sunday, August 06, 2000