DULUTH, MN — Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Baumgartner was arrested July 31 on suspicion of driving while impaired. He was booked into the St. Louis County Jail at 3:30 a.m. on charges listed as operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, refusing a chemical test and possessing an open bottle.
The arrest charges are initial allegations and are not formal court charges. Chamber leaders said they are aware of the situation and are still gathering information before making further comment.
Chamber Says It Is Reviewing Details
The Chamber board issued a short statement after learning of the arrest. It said the organization was trying to learn the complete facts and would not comment further at this stage out of respect for Chamber staff and members.
FOX 21 reported that it had reached out to Baumgartner for comment and had not received a response. The organization did not say whether Baumgartner would remain in his role while the matter is reviewed.
Previous DWI Cases Noted
Baumgartner has prior DWI convictions, including a 2022 case that led to about nine months of probation and $165 in fines and fees. In that incident, police said he crashed into a gate at the Medical District Parking Ramp and was found nodding off in his vehicle with an open vodka container inside.
He also faced a 2017 DWI arrest that was later dismissed, with a careless driving citation issued instead. Court records also show a 2006 DWI conviction.
What Happens Next
The July 31 arrest remains in the early stages, and the legal process has not yet produced formal charges based on the booking information. Any next steps would depend on what prosecutors file and how the case moves through court.
For now, the Chamber says it is holding off on further comment until it has a fuller picture of the incident and any related proceedings.
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