Judge Overturns Verdict in Police Chief Job Offer Case

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - A judge has overturned a jury's decision to award nearly $77,000 to a candidate who was offered the job as police chief of Cold Spring-Richmond and quit his previous job before the offer was rescinded.

The jury found in August that Eric Johnson relied on an assurance by Cold Spring's city administrator when he quit his job as Minneota's police chief. Cold Spring then rescinded its job offer when city officials found discrepancies in his resume.

Reports say the Stearns County District Judge ruled this week there was evidence to support the jury's finding in favor of Johnson. But he said the law supports the city's position because the City Council still had to approve his hiring.

Johnson's attorney, Betsey Lund, says they're considering an appeal.