MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Republican operative fired by the state Senate after an affair with the majority leader says he believes they were both victims of a power grab by other Republican senators.

Michael Brodkorb made his most extensive comments to date in an interview Sunday with The Associated Press about the events that led to his firing, and his lawsuit in response.

Last December, Sen. Amy Koch resigned as majority leader after Republican colleagues confronted her about the affair. Brodkorb was fired that day.

Brodkorb says he had previously been told he'd likely be able to keep working for the state. He charged that some other Republicans had designs on Koch's leadership job.

Republican senators and a former staffer declined to respond to Brodkorb's new allegations because of the ongoing lawsuit.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

More From AM 1240 WJON