Strip club owner Richard "Jake" Jacobsen was acquitted Wednesday of voter fraud conspiracy and forgery by a Dakota County jury. Jacobsen was charged with the crimes in 2002 when he persuaded patrons and dancers to vote in a city council election by listing Jake's Gentlemen's Club as their home address.
For his part, Jacobsen professed innocence, and told KARE 11 that he thought it was legal to recruit outside residents to vote in the town. Jacobsen's defense attorney claimed that he had received erroneous legal advice from previous counsel.
"I don't think I did anything wrong in the first place," Jacobsen told KARE 11.
A federal judge ordered Jacobsen's club be closed in 2002 on zoning and licensing violations. The land had been rezoned, making the club property residential. Jacobson then recruited voters to elect his supporters to the City Council so he could reopen his business.
Prosecutors claimed Jacobsen acted with knowledge of the voter fraud law.
Randall Tigue, Jacobsen's former attorney, testified Tuesday that he had indeed advised Jacobson on ways he could get his supporters elected to the council.
According to the report, the 93 people who filled out voter registration cards were charged with forging them. Most have since pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and paid fines.
Jacobson told KARE 11 he still owns the vacant, pink building in Coates. He has considered reopening it.
