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--Attorney Gregory Walsh and Michael Brodkorb--

Former Minnesota Senate staffer Michael Brodkorb has taken the first step toward suing the Senate over what he claims was his wrongful firing for having an affair with former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch.

Brodkorb today filed a gender discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Following that filing, Brodkorb told reporters he never wanted to sue, but needed to pursue that option because the Senate was delaying mediation.

"I know the  wheels of state government move slowly, but my attorneys and myself have made every attempt to work in a  productive way with the Senate to mediate this issue out." Brodkorb said. "I am disappointed that I had to be here today but prepared for the process."

One of Brodkorb's attorneys, Gregory Walsh,  said mediation remained an option for the state if it wanted to head off a lawsuit.

"That's been our goal all along is to get quietly to the table. Unfortunately the Senate hasn't allowed us to do that," said Walsh.

Last week the Senate rejected Brodkorb's request for mediation and Secretary of the Senate Cal Ludeman accused him of trying to extort a payment from the Senate. Ludeman said Brodkorb's claims had no merit.

Brodkorb is considering a separate defamation lawsuit against Ludeman over the extortion allegation.

Brodkorb's lawyers would not provide a copy of the complaint they sent to the EEOC.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Mark Zdechlik

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Brodkorb takes first step toward lawsuit


Brodkorb moves toward lawsuit against state Senate, Ludeman

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