Essentia director in court on Cloquet peeping case

The director of behavior services for Essentia Health in Duluth, accused of peeking into the bedroom of a Cloquet girl near his home, made his initial appearance in Carlton County District Court on Wednesday.

Richard Allen Paul, 57, of Cloquet sat quietly as his attorney, Stephen Zuber of Superior, asked the court to schedule an omnibus hearing in the case.

In criminal cases, the sides try to resolve evidentiary, procedural and constitutional issues at omnibus hearings before a case goes to trial. Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Robert Macaulay Jr. scheduled the hearing for July 20.

Macaulay reminded Paul, who is free on bail, that the order prohibiting him from having contact with the alleged victim or victims, or any other minor children in the neighborhood, remains in effect.

Paul was charged Friday with one felony count of interference with privacy. A neighbor allegedly caught Paul peering into a minor daughter’s bedroom window about 11:30 p.m. June 14. Paul allegedly was wearing a black ski mask and a gun on his hip.

Last week, a spokeswoman at Essentia Health confirmed Paul’s position with the health-care provider. She said that Paul has been on leave since a day before the incident and that he has been in the position — which oversees all inpatient and outpatient behavior services — since 2002.

Essentia didn’t immediately return a message Wednesday seeking comment on whether Paul’s status with the company has changed.

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