Restraining order against Ellison tossed

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - A judge on Monday dismissed a woman's attempt to get a restraining order against U.S. Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, with whom she claimed to have had an extramarital affair.

The judge ordered Amy Alexander to stop repeating allegations that she and Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, had an affair or that Ellison tried to intimidate her or smear her name, according to Ellison's lawyer, Carla C. Kjellberg.

Hennepin County Judge Robert Lynn also prevented Alexander from seeking another restraining order against Ellison from the court, Kjellberg said.

Ellison, a Democrat, has denied having an affair with Alexander, who claimed the two had an on-and-off relationship for 12 years. He obtained a restraining order against Alexander last year after what he described as phone and e-mail harassment and claims she tried to extort $10,000 in hush money.

Kjellberg said Ellison agreed to dismiss that restraining order as long as Alexander doesn't contact him. If she does, he can go to the court to have the order reinstated.

Alexander's attorney, Stephen Baker, didn't immediately return a phone message Monday seeking comment.