An employee of the Metropolitan Council filed a lawsuit in December 2012 against the Metropolitan Council alleging violations of Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The employee plaintiff claimed the Council did not promote her in violation of a policy to promote internally. On December 17, 2014, after a three-day trial, a federal United States District Court jury determined agents of the Metropolitan Council did not discriminate in promoting another employee over the plaintiff. The Metropolitan Council and its agents were represented by Susan M. Tindal and Nathan C. Midolo.
Archives for January 2015
Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District wins Appeal in Minnesota State Court
The Goerke Family Partnership brought a declaratory-judgment action in district court challenging the Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed’s approval of landowner William Croatt’s application for a drainage permit. Following a remand to the watershed district’s board of managers for further consideration, the district court affirmed the managers’ approval of the drainage permit. The Goerke Family Partnership appealed, arguing that the district court erred in allowing the board of managers to reconsider the issue and the board of managers erred in determining that the drainage system would be a reasonable use. On December 15, 2014, the Minnesota Court of Appeals held both that the district court properly remanded the issue to the board of managers and the board’s approval of Croatt’s application was reasonable because his proposed drainage system met the elements of the reasonable-use doctrine. Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District was represented by Jason J. Kuboushek.
Chaska Officer Wins Jury Trial
In July 2009 Chaska police received a call from an agent attempting to repossess Plaintiff Mark Grams’ vehicle. When officers arrived, Grams and several neighbors were preventing the vehicle from being repossessed. Grams appeared to punch one of the repossessing agents and was placed under arrest. Grams, however, ignored officer commands, reached back into his vehicle, and physically resisted arrest. Grams was taken to the ground and handcuffed once he stopped resisting. Grams sued the officers claiming they used excessive force. The case went to trial on November 12, 2014, where Grams’ inconsistent statements, undisputed violence, and unsubstantiated injuries were highlighted. After a two-day trial, a federal United States District Court jury found no excessive force was used in Grams’ arrest. The Chaska officers were represented by Nathan C. Midolo.