Pawlenty staffer suspended following arrest, charges

A staffer for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's exploratory campaign for the Republican presidential nomination has apologized and has been suspended following an incident which led to his arrest and charges of public intoxication and trespassing.

“Last night, I made a very serious mistake,” Benjamin Foster, 24, said in a statement released by the Pawlenty campaign. “I take full responsibility for my actions. I want to apologize to all affected by my poor judgment. I especially apologize to the people who were disturbed during the incident and the arresting officers. I give my word that it will never happen again.”

Foster has been placed on a two-week, unpaid suspension, according to Eric Woolson, speaking for the Pawlenty exploratory committee.

Foster, who recently moved from Alabama to Iowa to work on Pawlenty's campaign was arrested and booked into jail shortly after 4 a.m., according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

“He scared the crap out of me and my family,” said Stacy Steward, who said her 15-year-old daughter was awakened when Foster attempted to enter the family's Ankeny home.

Her daughter woke Steward and her husband. Steward said Foster continued to try to enter the house while Steward's husband, who is licensed to carry a gun, pointed his weapon at him.

Apparently, Foster was looking for a friend's house when he walked through her backyard, vomited and tried to enter her house, according to Steward.

Steward didn't blame Pawlenty for Foster's conduct, “but I hope that's not the kind of people he employs.”

“Pawlenty is extremely disappointed in Ben's actions and his behavior does not meet the standards he expects of his employees,” Woolson said. The committee placed Foster on a two-week unpaid suspension “and expects him to bear the legal consequences for his action.”