St. Cloud Settles Officer’s Discrimination Lawsuit

ST. CLOUD  (AP) - The city of St. Cloud has settled a discrimination lawsuit filed by a police officer for $73,000, but admits no liability or wrongdoing.

Officer Sean Lathrop sued the city and several members of the police department in federal court.

Lathrop alleged he was denied equal protection when he worked for the St. Cloud Police Department from 2006 to 2010 because of his sexual orientation. A federal mediator helped bring the two sides to a settlement, avoiding a trial that had been scheduled to begin March 19.

The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust agreed to settle on behalf of the city. The insurer's attorney, Patricia Beety, says the cost of continuing the litigation would have far exceeded the amount of the settlement.

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