Dayton has 'expressed concern' about suite use to U.S. Bank Stadium chair

Gov. Mark Dayton said he "expressed concern" about use of two luxury suites at U.S. Bank Stadium to Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair (MSFA) Michele Kelm-Helgen and then accused the media of "sensationalizing" the story while ignoring the success of the $1.1 billion project.

The governor stopped short of giving his "support" for the MSFA's control of 36 tickets to two lower-concourse "Norseman Suites," saying he will wait until he's "got all the facts," possibly in mid-January when legislative auditor Jim Nobles aims to complete a "priority investigation" into the suite use.

On Sunday, the Star Tribune reported that Kelm-Helgen and Executive Director Ted Mondale control access to the two suites, which the Vikings sell for $200,000 to $300,000 for the NFL season, for all events at the stadium.

The MSFA has refused to disclose who is attending the games. They acknowledged they and some of the four MSFA commissioners have brought friends and family to events. Nobles, whose office is nonpartisan, said Wednesday he had opened an investigation.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/dayton-has-expressed-concern-about-suite-use-to-u-s-bank-stadium-chair/404059036/