Settlements and Verdicts

Officer Retaliated Against

St. Cloud, MN: (Mar-19-08) Officer Dan Sherburne, an officer in the city of Big Lake, brought a lawsuit against the city, its police chief and two officers, alleging that he was retaliated against after he reported wrongdoing. Sherburne’s lawsuit brought allegations of wrongdoing against Police Chief Sean Rifenberick and two former sergeants, Mark and Todd Pearson. Records show that Rifenberick received a written reprimand in September 2007, after he sent a pornographic e-mail to two employees. A Benton County prosecutor decided that criminal charges were not warranted in that incident.

Under the terms of the deal, all proposed disciplinary action by the city against Officer Sherburne will be dropped and Big Lake, through its insurance company, has agreed to pay Sherburne and his attorney $100,000. The city admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement and chose to resolve the case rather than risk costly and protracted litigation. Additionally, the settlement includes a provision that a workplace facilitator will help develop a plan for improved workplace communications between Sherburne and his employer. [ST. CLOUD TIMES: BIG LAKE, POLICE OFFICER SETTLE LAWSUIT]

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