Troubled Greenfield sued over phone records

Two City Council members and former Mayor Jill Krout are suing the city of Greenfield, alleging data privacy violations in the release of phone records they gave the city last year.

HOW MUCH: The trio, which includes Council Members Mark Lee and Howard Veldhuizen, seek at least $150,000.

The city released the records to a resident who requested them after allegations that the three officials committed violations of open-meeting laws.

QUESTION ON COVERAGE: The lawsuit could present a problem for the city: Last year its insurance coverage was canceled by the League of Minnesota Cities because of the political turmoil and lawsuits in Greenfield the past four years or so.

Krout, elected in 2008, resigned in November after the insurance was canceled.

Although the city obtained new insurance in December, it does not appear the new policy will cover this suit. As a result, the city likely will bear the cost of defending itself and of any settlement or award.

IN THEIR COMPLAINT, the three assert that their phones are private and not owned, paid for or maintained by the city.

The three complain they turned over the phone data to be reviewed and not for release.

The data were requested last year by Greenfield's city attorney. The redacted phone records were eventually turned over to Chuck Alcon, a city resident and frequent critic of the three.

"This is pretty much black and white," Alcon told the City Council during last week's meeting. "Their claimed injuries are self-inflicted."