Minnesota DNR manager who won job back sues agency
Published 1:15 pm Saturday, February 20, 2010
A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources enforcement manager who won her job back in an arbitrator’s ruling is suing the agency.
Capt. Cathy Hamm was fired for her role in a 2007 game wardens’ conference. The legislative auditor said the DNR misspent $300,000 on the meeting. Her husband, Mike Hamm, the DNR’s enforcement director, was forced to retire over his role.
Hamm’s lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges Cathy Hamm was discriminated against on gender and marital status. It also alleges defamation and violation of the state data practices law.
An arbitrator ruled last October that upper DNR management was responsible for any misuse of public money and staff time.
The suit seeks damages “in excess of $50,000” plus attorney’s fees.
DNR spokeswoman Colleen Coyne said the agency doesn’t comment on pending litigation.