Monday, October 15 2012 8:43 PM EDT2012-10-16 00:43:36 GMT
Michael Brodkorb said he was ousted from the Senate amid a power grab -- and he says the fact that his lawsuit still isn't settled raises questions about who is really in control.
In his first interview about his firing from the Minnesota Senate, Brodkorb said he was ousted amid a power grab -- and he continues on to say the fact that his lawsuit still hasn't been settled raises questions about who is really in control at the Senate.
Sunday, October 14 2012 11:30 PM EDT2012-10-15 03:30:23 GMT
It's been nearly a year since Michael Brodkorb was fired following his affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, but he's breaking his silence now with FOX 9 News.
It's been nearly a year since Michael Brodkorb was fired from his position as a powerful senate staffer following his affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, and he gave his first interview about the experience to FOX 9 News.
Monday, July 23 2012 6:30 PM EDT2012-07-23 22:30:46 GMT
Michael Brodkorb is suing the state of Minnesota, saying he was fired from his post as aide to then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch due to gender discrimination when their extramarital affair was revealed.
Michael Brodkorb is suing the state of Minnesota, saying he was fired from his post as aide to then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch due to gender discrimination when their extramarital affair was revealed.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -
Their affair cost Amy Koch and Michael Brodkorb their careers in the Minnesota Senate, but the cost to Minnesota taxpayers is still adding up as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle vow to defend the chamber's actions.
"To cave in to a settlement is not only precedent-setting to the Senate, but also can be perceived as some kind of cover-up," explained current Senate Majority Leader David Senjem.
Brodkorb's suit claims the Republican strategist was improperly terminated after an affair with his boss, who was Senate Majority Leader at the time. So far, the tab to try and settle the case has ticked up to nearly $200,000 -- more than double Brodkorb's annual salary.
Senate leaders say the suit must go forward in an open court session, and the Committee on Rules and Administration approved a $90,000 invoice from a private law firm on Thursday. The bill covers three months' worth of expenses related to Brodkorb case -- including $132 to review an interview with FOX 9's Tom Lyden and nearly $1,000 to handle the media fallout of Brodkorb breaking his silence.
"It was a palace coup," Brodkorb told FOX 9 News. "It was an attempt to take over the Senate leadership."
An accounting of Senate expenses estimates the chamber will come in about $2.5 million under budget. That money can carry forward to the next budget cycle, or the surplus could get sucked into defending an already costly lawsuit.
"There is not a basis or a good merit for a lawsuit here," said Secretary of the Minnesota Senate Cal Ludeman. "The Senate didn't initiate the lawsuit. We defend it, so that's what we're willing to do."
Senjem added that although settling may be less expensive, he said it could end up being costlier in the long run.
"I personally believe -- if you settle now for whatever amount of money it is -- you're going to have many claims going down the road," he said.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:01:47 GMT
Suffolk County police arrested a man who was driving drunk with his daughter in the car after he caused a three-car crash on Long Island Friday afternoon.
Suffolk County police arrested a man who was driving drunk with his daughter in the car after he caused a three-car crash on Long Island Friday afternoon.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:00 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:00:59 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:52:40 GMT
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:27:43 GMT
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:26:30 GMT
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:49 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:49:32 GMT
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in New Jersey on Friday was $3.42, up 3 cents from last week. But that's still lower than the price from a year ago
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:47 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:47:11 GMT
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Internal Affairs officers on Saturday were looking into allegations made by actress Amanda Bynes that NYPD officers sexually assaulted her when she was charged with heaving a marijuana bong out the window
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:52:40 GMT
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:36:58 GMT
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:25:11 GMT
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
