The Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. - A Minnesota House staffer is drawing a public paycheck while he's on leave after being charged with child pornography possession.
Minnesota Public Radio reported Tuesday that former committee administrator Rory Koch has collected $14,814 since he was put on paid administrative leave in March.
Koch, of St. Paul, has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of possessing child pornography.
A number for Koch was disconnected and no active phone listing could be found.
The pay is drawing scrutiny after Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers urged Democratic Rep. Kerry Gauthier (GAHTH-ee-uhr) of Duluth to resign after being involved in a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old boy at a rest stop. Gauthier wasn't charged because the boy was older than 16, the legal age of consent.
Gauthier dropped his re-election bid last week.
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