ANOKA, Minn. — It's not often that you see the word "boondoggle," but Anoka County alleges that's exactly what's happening in the City of Anoka.

The county is suing the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), alleging that DFL State Representative Zack Stephenson misused the legislative process for "his own pet project at the expense of Anoka County taxpayers."

That project is a pedestrian bridge over the Rum River in downtown Anoka.

That lawsuit, filed last month, specifically points to Stephenson's bill that diverted $6.2 million in transportation funds meant for Anoka County to the City of Anoka.

"The grant under paragraph (a) is for predesign, design, engineering, environmental analysis, right-of-way acquisition including easements, and construction of a pedestrian bridge o

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