Loading ...Sheriff and County File to Have Lawsuit Charges Dismissed
Defense lawyers are pushing for the dismissal of the whistle-blower and unlawful termination lawsuit filed by former Pine County Lieutenant and Emergency Manager Robin Cole. Cole filed suit against Pine County and Pine County Sheriff Mark Mansavage. Attorneys for the Sheriff and County filed the motion on September 18th.
In the lawsuit, Cole alleges that he was wrongfully terminated from his job because he reported that Mansavage engaged in illegal activities. Mansavage claims that Cole was fired because he failed to perform case management duties required from the lieutenant position.
Dyan Ebert of Quinlivan & Hughes Attorneys at Law is representing the County and Sheriff Mansavage. She filed the Defendents’ Memorandum in Support of Motion for Summary Judgement.
Ebert responds to the claims.
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Ebert says that Cole’s termination has “nothing to do with the allegations against Sheriff Mansavage.”
Cole’s lawyer Gregg Corwin is in the process of writing a rebuttal to the Memorandum. He expects it complete by October 13th. Corwin believes there is enough evidence to prove Cole was fired unlawfully.
Corwin:
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Cole sent a letter in July of 2008 to the Pine County Attorney, Attorney General, State Auditor, Secretary of State, Pine County Director of Human Resources, County Commissioners, Pine County Coordinator, and Pine County Auditor.
In the letter, Cole makes several accusations against Mansavage including misappropriations of public funds, misconduct of a public officer, and a hostile work environment.
Cole claims Mansavage purchased “gifts” for Pine County Sheriff’s Office employees and “others” and alleges the Sheriff’s Office bought a gun for County Attorney Carlson. The gun was allegedly provided to Carlson for his protection because he was threatened by someone he helped convict.
Ebert Responds:
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Cole also alleges that Mansavage used county property, including ATV’s for his personal use. The memorandum states “Mansavage occasionally stored county equipment in the storage shed at his home whenever he felt the equipment could not be safely stored on County property, but he has never received compensation for storing that equipment.”
Corwin says there is evidence Mansavage used the equipment.
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A hearing on the matter is set for October 20th in Pine County Court.
Pine County Judges Krista Martin and James Reuter have recused themselves from the case. P. Hunter Anderson will conduct the proceedings.