Senator investigated by state board over COVID-19 comments

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State Sen. Scott Jensen said he’s being investigated by the Minnesota State Board of Medical Practice for some public comments he made as a doctor about the coronavirus.

In a video released Sunday the Chaska Republican said the investigation related to his earlier criticism of the Minnesota Department of Health for following federal guidelines on when doctors should characterize deaths as due to COVID-19.

Jensen said he was fearful the death toll might be inflated is each state’s allocation of federal funds depended on the number of coronavirus deaths.

He said doesn’t know who filed a complaint with the board and that he felt “targeted.” Jensen said he will cooperate fully with the investigation, the Star Tribune reported.

In the video, Jensen said the board is focused on two allegations: spreading misinformation about the death toll and providing “reckless advice” by comparing COVID-19 with the flu.