Aaron Biber charged with criminal sexual conduct involving minor 

Posted: 1:00 am Mon, December 14, 2009
By Patrick Thornton

Prominent Minnesota attorney Aaron Biber, a former Hennepin County Bar Association president and the treasurer of the Minnesota State Bar Association, was charged Monday with two counts of criminal sexual conduct involving alleged sexual relations with a 15-year-old boy.

A criminal complaint filed Monday by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office alleges that last October Biber gave liquor to and had a sexual encounter with the boy at Biber’s Shorewood home. According to the complaint, Biber, 46, has known the boy for four years. Biber is also accused of sending highly graphic and sexual text messages to the boy after the alleged encounter.

"This is a tragic and grossly innappropriate situation," said Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman at a Dec. 14 press conference on the charges.

Biber will make his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon on one charge of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and one charge of solicitation of a child in sexual conduct. Both charges are felonies.

The alleged sexual conduct was reported to the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department by a confidential source within the last two weeks. The police taped a phone call between Biber and the boy on Friday, Dec. 11. During the call, Biber allegedly arranged to meet the boy at the Eden Prairie Mall to perform a sex act. He was arrested en route to the meeting.

Freeman said evidence supports Biber made additional sexual solicitations to the boy.

Biber is a principal at Minneapolis law firm Gray Plant Mooty. He has been placed on leave and is not practicing law with the firm. Tamara Hjelle Olsen, the manager officer and chair of the board at Gray Plant Mooty issued a brief statement Monday.

"We are deeply saddened by this completely unexpected news, and are ensuring that the clients Mr. Biber has served are being well taken care of by other lawyers at our firm. We are also caring for our employees, who, like our entire legal community, are confused and disturbed by this news. We trust that the justice system will bring this matter to the right result. Mr. Biber has been placed on leave and is not currently practicing law with our firm. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic development.

Shortly after Biber was charged, MSBA president Leo Brisbois released the following statement on behalf of the bar group: "The allegations in the Criminal Complaint issued today are deeply troubling. It is important, however, that we respect the legal process and allow the judicial system to resolve this matter.

"In the meantime, the MSBA is working expeditiously to suspend Mr. Biber of his duties as treasurer, including the transfer of his responsibilities to others.

"The MSBA extends its concern to everyone involved during this difficult time."