AUDITOR'S HUSBAND RECEIVES COUNSELING; CHARGE OF STRIKING SON WITH CHAIR MAY BE DROPPED

Saint Paul Pioneer Press

Author: AMY SHERMAN, Pioneer Press

Michael Awada, husband of State Auditor Pat Awada, must continue to go to counseling if he wants the charge dropped against him for striking his teenage son with a chair in May, a judge decided Monday.

Awada, 39, was charged with gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child and spent one night in the jail in May. He has since started counseling voluntarily and his 15-year-old son is also seeing a counselor, said Awada's attorney, Ann O'Reilly, in a hearing in Dakota County District Court.

Awada admitted under questioning by O'Reilly that he and his son had a heated argument after the boy returned several hours late to the family's home in Eagan. The boy grabbed Awada and Awada swung a chair at his son, striking him on the arm. Awada admitted in court that his actions were unreasonable. He did not enter a plea during the court proceeding.

The Dakota County criminal complaint provides a few more details: The boy told police that he returned home two hours late from riding his bicycle and was angered when he was told his bike privileges were suspended. The two yelled at each other and the boy tried to put his father in an armlock. Awada broke free and picked up a chair. The boy said, "Go ahead and hit me," and Awada swung the chair.

The boy's arm was "very swollen" and had a "deep bruise," according to the complaint. Eagan police were summoned after the boy climbed out of his bedroom window and ran to a neighbor's house.

Judge Robert King continued the case for one year and said he will then dismiss it as long as Awada has remained law abiding and completes counseling. If he fails to meet those conditions, he could face prosecution and ultimately a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Awada said in an interview that he and his son are working together to make sure "nothing like this happens again."

"My son and I regret the incident," said Awada, a father of four. "We're getting along beautifully."

The outcome of the case is typical for a suspect charged with this offense, considering that it was an isolated incident and Awada has indicated he will cooperate with social services, said Phil Prokopowicz, chief deputy Dakota County attorney.

Amy Sherman covers Dakota County public safety and government. She can be reached at asherman@ pioneerpress.com or (651) 228-2174.