Pulkrabek Won't Face Felony Charges

Washington County Commissioner Bill Pulkrabek will not face felony charges in connection with a May 30 in which he was accused of domestic assault at a home in Woodbury, according to a press release from the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.

“Our prosecutors thoroughly reviewed the evidence presented to us by police and determined that there is insufficient evidence to bring a felony charge in this case,” County Attorney John Choi said in a statement. “However, our prosecutors believe that a city attorney should consider bringing a misdemeanor charge in this case, and we have been informed that will happen.”

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office handled the case to avoid a potential conflict of interest in Washington County.

Now that the Ramsey County officials have weighed in, Woodbury City Attorney Mark Vierling has the final determination on what, if any, charges Pulkrabek will face. City attorneys can’t charge felonies, Vierling said.

Vierling said he would be reading through the police reports and likely arrive at a decision sometime this week.

“We’re still looking at it,” he said.

In a written statement, Pulkrabek's attorney Ryan Kaess said they are thankful the Ramsey County Attorney's Office decided the allegations did not warrant felony charges.

"These allegations have been without merit since they were first reported," Kaess said in the statement. "Mr. Pulkrabek continues to emphatically deny these allegations and will aggressively pursue justice in this matter."

Pulkrabek was arrested after his girlfriend accused him of throwing her on the bed by her hair, holding his forearm over her neck so she couldn't breathe and pulling her down the stairs by her hair at a home at the 10900 block of Oak Grove Circle in Woodbury.

"We hope and expect that people will refrain from making any judgments until they have had the chance to see all the facts," Kaess' statement says. "Mr. Pulkrabek regrets that this matter has created a distraction from other important issues related to Washington County and he will continue to serve as a member of the county’s board of commissioners."

The decision to decline felony-level strangulation charges was made late this afternoon after the Ramsey County Attorney's Office was presented with more information from the Woodbury Police Department, Choi said.

Choi would not elaborate on the findings of the additional investigation or evidence collected by .

"This is still an ongoing investigation," Choi said. "Because felony charges were declined, doesn't mean this is all over.

"We know what it takes to prove a case like this beyond a reasonable doubt and we do not believe this case met the felony threshold," he continued. "However, our prosecutors believe that a city attorney should consider bringing a misdemeanor charge in this case, and in fact, I have been told that will happen.”

Pulkrabek and his wife, Lori Pulkrabek, have been separated for six months, she has said.