AWADA'S SPOUSE CHARGED IN SON'S INJURY

Saint Paul Pioneer Press

Author: MARA H. GOTTFRIED

Dateline: EAGAN

Michael Esau Awada, husband of State Auditor Pat Awada, was charged Friday with gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child for allegedly striking their teen-aged son with a chair during an argument at the family's Eagan home Thursday night.

The boy was taken to Children's Hospital in St. Paul for examination after the incident, police said. His arm was swollen and a deep bruise was found there, according to the criminal complaint. He was treated and released from the hospital.

Michael Awada, 39, was held overnight in the Dakota County jail. After his arraignment, he was released on his own recognizance Friday afternoon.

Michael Awada did not return a call for comment. Ann O'Reilly, his attorney, had no comment Friday.

The Awadas have four children: two teen-aged boys they adopted from Bulgaria and two younger girls. Michael Awada was chairman of his wife's campaign committee during her run for the auditor's seat last year.

Pat Awada, who was Eagan's mayor until she took office in January, released a statement Friday but declined to comment otherwise.

"Nothing like this has happened before, and we will work so that this never happens again," she wrote. "I understand I am a public figure, however, I am also a mother and wife and I would ask that you respect my family's privacy as we work through this unfortunate event in our lives."

Eagan police went to the Awada residence Thursday after the teen-aged boy ran to a neighbor's house and called authorities at 8:54 p.m., according to the criminal complaint filed in Dakota County court.

The boy told police that he had returned home two hours late from riding his bicycle. He became angry when he was told his bike privileges were suspended and yelled at his father, who yelled back at him, the complaint said.

After the boy tried to put his father in an arm lock, Awada broke free and picked up a chair, the complaint said. The boy said, "Go ahead and hit me." Awada swung the chair at the boy, striking him in the arm, according to the complaint.

After Awada left his son's bedroom, the boy climbed out his bedroom window and ran to the neighbor's home.

Awada confirmed his son's version of events when interviewed by police, the complaint said.

Eagan police have not been called to the Awadas' home in the past for domestic incidents, said Chief Kent Therkelsen.

Phil Prokopowicz, chief deputy Dakota County attorney, said the Awada case would be handled like any other.

The director of Dakota County community services, David Rooney, said he didn't know the specifics of the Awada case. But speaking generally, he said his office investigates such cases to determine whether there has been abuse or neglect. In serious cases, children can be removed from the home.

Mara H. Gottfried covers Eagan, the Metropolitan Council and suburban growth. She can be reached at mgottfried@pioneer press.com or (651) 228-5262.