On the homepage
Thanksgiving
Out There
Video
Reusse's Turkey
Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | Political Conventions
Anarchist sues Ramsey County
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from Political Conventions
A member of an anarchist group that organized protests during the Republican National Convention in September has sued Ramsey County, alleging that Sheriff Bob Fletcher failed to provide "all private and public data" that his office had on the activist. The suit asks for the data and damages in excess of $75,000.
Betsy Raasch-Gilman, 56, a member of the RNC Welcoming Committee who calls herself an "anarchist peace activist," said that on Sept. 1, after locking up a building in St. Paul where anarchists were organizing protests, she encountered Fletcher, who told her his office had an "extensive file" on her.
The suit says that despite her requests for the file, Fletcher did not provide it, so she appealed to the state Department of Administration. It issued an advisory opinion that the sheriff's office had not complied with state statutes. The suit was filed by attorneys Ted Dooley and Peter Nickitas.
Fletcher said, "we do have information regarding Betsy Raasch-Gilman because she was an active member of the RNC Welcoming Committee." But, "all of that information is part of an ongoing investigation of the Welcoming Committee and therefore it is confidential under Minnesota data practices law."
Fletcher said that his office informed Dooley of the investigation and also sent a letter to the Department of Administration, but the department told him it never received it.
RANDY FURST
Recent Political Conventions stories
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
  Free Jobs E-mail NewsletterResources to help further your career. Sign up now. Find Your Next HomeSearch realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings. |
Win tickets to the Dec. 3 performance of "In The Heights" at Orpheum Theatre.Vita.mn presents the Dec. 3 performance of "In The Heights" at Orpheum Theatre, and is hosting the official cast after party at First Avenue's Ritmo Caliente. |
