Winona Woman Not Charged in Fabricated Assault

WINONA, Minn. (AP) - The Winona city attorney has decided not to charge a 19-year-old woman who falsely reported she was sexually assaulted.

The Winona State University student had told police a man put a bag over her head Dec. 5 and assaulted her in a parking lot.

Police launched an investigation and the school issued a campuswide alert. The Winona Daily News reports she later admitted making up the story.

Police cited her for filing a false report and referred the case to the city attorney's office, an unusual step for a misdemeanor ticket.

Assistant city attorney Brian Glodosky says he decided not to pursue charges because the woman had a clean record, is an honor student and because the incident was out of character for her.

He says she has problems better handled outside the court system.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)