Two legislators have decided not to file a formal complaint against a park ranger they earlier accused of lying when he cited them for “making out” in an Eagan park. Instead, both state Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing, and Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, will pay the $260 in fines each owes for the “nuisance” ticket each was issued.

“While I disagree with some of the details of the park ranger’s notes, I have decided not to file a formal complaint and instead pay the citation,” Mack said in a statement released late Friday afternoon.

Kelly, in a separate statement released at the same time, said it was “time to move forward.”

“Although I still do not agree with what was written in the report, I have settled this parking/nuisance citation and have paid the fine,” Kelly said.

The park ranger said that he found the two “making out” in Lebanon Hills Regional Park and that Mack’s pants were unzipped and pulled down. When the Pioneer Press first reported the citation, both lawmakers called it a lie, and Kelly accused the officer of making up the accusation after he and the ranger tangled over a parking violation.

Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie stood by his ranger, a part-time civilian employee with no discipline on his record. No video footage of the incident exists, which meant a dispute could come down to the ranger’s word against Mack’s and Kelly’s.

Leslie said Friday that he was happy that the lawmakers had paid the fines, which is what those cited typically do, and would not be filing complaints.

“This issue has weighed heavily on the office and me,” he said.

Kelly said he “does not agree with what was written in the report.” On Tuesday, both accused the report of being “illegally obtained” and said it was completely false.

The two lawmakers are both married to other people. In their statements, each said concern for their family was behind their decision to not file complaints.

“I understand being in the public eye, but this has an impact on my family which I’m not willing to accept,” Kelly said.

Mack said she’s “moving on to focus my time and attention on my marriage, my family and those in my community.”

Both House members were first elected in 2008 and are committee chairs. House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, told the Rochester Post Bulletin that he would stand by Mack and Kelly.

“They are members of my caucus, and certainly we support them. They are both incredibly talented and vital members of our team,” Daudt told the newspaper.