Lenzmeier Guardianship Hearing Held Behind Closed Doors as Judge Denies Access

by Jennifer Lewerenz

(KNSI) — On Wednesday morning, an evidentiary hearing was held to determine whether Alice Lenzmeier’s emergency guardianship over her husband should be made permanent. However, the judge overseeing the case denied public access.

The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, April 21st, but was postponed to the 23rd after the attorney for Stearns County Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier requested the hearing be closed, citing privacy concerns due to the sensitive nature of the evidence, including medical records. Lenzmeier’s attorney, Michael Pepin, added that his client feels some allegations against him are untrue and that, if made public, they would harm his ability to do his job as a commissioner and damage his reputation.

Attorney Paul Jeddeloh, who represents Alice, said they support having a closed meeting because some of the evidence to be discussed could be embarrassing.

Wright County Judge John Bowen had told the court that he was likely to grant the request and believed a finding of good cause existed to close the hearing, but he wanted more time to decide. Bowen issued an order Tuesday afternoon, stating his decision to close the proceeding is based on what is in Lenzmeier’s best interests.

According to court records, Commissioner Lenzmeier’s wife was given emergency guardianship of her husband on April 7th. Filings show Lenzmeier has been living in a memory care unit at Havenwood of Buffalo since April 29th, 2024. Before that, he had spent a couple of weeks at another supervised care facility, Park View Senior Health & Living in Buffalo. Lenzmeier was taken to the emergency room after falling and being unable to get back up on March 31st, 2024. He was found by one of his children. Lenzmeier stayed at the hospital until April 8th and was discharged on the condition that he be placed at an assisted living facility.

Alice told the court he had been suffering from declining mental ability for well over a decade, with a “rapid acceleration” over the past three or four years. She cited a report written after a neuropsychology exam in fall 2024, saying Lenzmeier “demonstrated rapid forgetting” and could not appreciate how disruptive his condition is on his quality of life. The report went on to say that Lenzmeier needs to be in a regulated care setting, cannot drive, and recommended that he step down from his role on the Stearns County Board of Commissioners.

Lenzmeier has stated he believes he can still serve as a commissioner and disputes some of the claims about his mental capacity.

Requests to attend the hearing, which was held via Zoom, and included local media outlets and Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall, were all denied. Kendall stated in her request that she should be included because she advises the Board of Commissioners. The media had petitioned the court for attendance because Lenzmeier is a public official, and it is in the public’s best interests. Records surrounding his health are also public; he previously discussed his situation in the media.

A special Stearns County Board of Commissioners meeting has been called for Monday, April 28th, to discuss and consider action regarding Lenzmeier’s situation.

Full Article & Source:
Lenzmeier Guardianship Hearing Held Behind Closed Doors as Judge Denies Access

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