Senate wants Brodkorb case sent to federal court
Attorneys for the Minnesota Senate filed paperwork in U.S. District Court that says former staffer Michael Brodkorb's suit should be heard there because it involves federal law. Brodkorb's attorneys said they filed his wrongful termination and gender discrimination suit in Ramsey County District Court because the Senate is located in Ramsey County and the court has jurisdiction.
The latest filing is procedural but could play a big factor in whether the case goes forward, because federal judges are generally stricter about when they're willing to open the door to a lawsuit.
Brodkorb claims he was fired because he had an affair with former GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, even though female staffers who had affairs with male lawmakers kept their jobs. Senate Republican leaders say they followed the law when the fired Brodkorb.
For his part, Brodkorb wrote on Twitter that his case is strong no matter what court hears it.
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The removal of my suit to federal court is unremarkable & not unexpected. The strength of my claims remain strong in any court of justice.
— Michael Brodkorb (@mbrodkorb) August 10, 2012
Here's the motion by Senate attorneys: