SUTTONS BAY — A federal appeals court determined Leelanau County's sheriff and undersheriff don't have immunity from some legal claims made by a group of deputies.
Meanwhile, a federal district judge ruled that an attorney representing the county can continue his work.
Both decisions came this week as part of a long-running lawsuit against Leelanau County, Sheriff Mike Oltersdorf and Undersheriff Scott Wooters. The suit, filed by a group of sheriff's deputies in March 2009, alleges invasion of privacy, retaliation and other counts.
U.S. District Judge Janet Neff last year denied a motion that sought to give Oltersdorf and Wooters immunity from some of the complaints because the two are government employees. The county appealed, but the U.S. Court of Appeals this week upheld Neff's decision.
"It's huge," said Bill Rastetter, an attorney for the deputies. "The deputies now will have their opportunity to take their claims to a jury and have the jury decide."
Neff this week decided Christopher Cooke, an attorney representing Oltersdorf, Wooters and the county, shouldn't be removed from the case. Neff considered his removal after a "threatening" Aug. 15 letter Cooke sent to Leelanau Prosecutor Joseph Hubbell and Assistant Prosecutor Doug Donaldson.
The letter appeared to instruct Donaldson and Hubbell to alter or avoid testimony in the lawsuit, and Neff had harsh words for Cooke at a September hearing.
"I'm grateful for the judge's decision, and I'm looking forward to remaining on the case," Cooke said.
The case, marked by intense bickering and legal maneuvering, finally could head to trial this year, Rastetter said.
The suit stems from allegations that Oltersdorf and Wooters listened to conversations on what employees believed to be private lines at the sheriff's department on several occasions dating to 2006. They then retaliated against employees who publicly criticized the practice, the suit alleges.
Region
Court: Leelanau sheriff, undersheriff don't have immunity
Ruling means suit by group of deputies may move forward
-
-
Possible millage for TC schools
Traverse City Area Public Schools could ask voters this fall for millions to upgrade several aging schools and facilities.
Continued ... -
Benzie Sheriff candidate reprimanded at work
A candidate for Benzie County sheriff received multiple reprimands for inappropriate behavior at his high school job, but contends he’s still the best man for the law enforcement post.
Continued ... -
Spelling bee competitor goes out with a bang
Jack Pasche misspelled “idiosyncratically,” but he certainly knew how to act it out.
Continued ... -
Police arrest two in separate assaults
The Traverse City Police Department responded Sunday to a reported assault at a home on Leeward Court. A 38-year-old man told officers that his girlfriend, 39, punched him in the eye. He suffered a facial fracture requiring additional treatment.
Continued ... -
Boaters' safety class to be held
The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 2 at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. To register, call the department's marine division at (231) 922-2112.
Continued ... -
Audit preparations for TCL&P begin
Consultants have until mid-June to submit plans for how they would conduct a Traverse City Light & Power audit.
Continued ... -
Man charged with more crimes
James Anthony Simpson, 26, of Traverse City, is charged with third-degree home invasion, larceny in a building and malicious destruction of a building after a May 15 incident at a Garfield Township residence.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 30, 2012
-
Housing project 'moving forward'
Traverse City commissioners recently approved what officials expect to be the last change in long-running negotiations to sell city property near the former railroad depot off Eighth Street to two affordable housing agencies.
Continued ... -
Septic tank tax appears inevitable
A $30 to $40 yearly tax assessment on properties with septic tanks in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau's Elmwood Township appears inevitable.
Continued ... -
DEQ seeks public input on Brown Bridge Dam removal
The state Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on Traverse City's request for a permit to remove Brown Bridge Dam and restore three miles of Boardman River channel.
Continued ... -
Man charged in Crystal Lake incident
A downstate man who attempted to evade authorities by jumping into Crystal Lake spent his Memorial Day weekend in jail.
Continued ... -
Traverse City to expand TC Saves energy program
The city is expanding a program designed to help residents save on their energy bills.
Continued ... -
Elk Lake boat launch closed for repairs
The Elk Lake boat launch located three miles south of Kewadin is temporarily closed for repairs.
Continued ... -
Suspect arrested in parking meter thefts
Police arrested a man they said stole parking meters in Traverse City.
Continued ... -
TC Central, West on another 'best' list
Two Traverse City high schools made another national list of the best in the country.
Continued ... -
Traverse City man faces theft charge
A Traverse City man faces a criminal charge after police believe he stole cash and other items from a friend's parents.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
-
Video: 'Taps' at Memorial Day service at Oakwood Cemetery
An excerpt of horn player Don Sattler and drummer David Sattler performing "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day service at Traverse City's Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May. 28, 2012.
Continued ... -
Memorial Day: Traverse City honors heroes
A Memorial Day ceremony included a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps" and a speech from Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Inman.
Continued ... -
Get to work without using your car
- Monday, May 28, 2012
-
City to discontinue spring cleanup
City crews will stop collecting residents' clutter each spring.
Continued ... -
Terry Wooten: WWII soldier's story told in poems
Jack Miller, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a POW during World War II, won't be in any Memorial Day parades today.
Continued ... -
Remembering the fallen veterans
Below is a list of military veterans from the region who died during the past year (May 28, 2011, through May 25, 2012).
Continued ... -
Memorial Day events
A roundup of Memorial Day-related events in northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Travel season begins
Tourism analysts at Michigan State University project a 3 percent increase in Michigan travel volume this year.
Continued ... -
Restored cemetery to be honored on Memorial Day
The "Old Ones" buried in the once-overgrown and abandoned Onominese Indian Cemetery near Northport will be honored in a Memorial Day service and traditional re-dedication ceremony.
Continued ...
-
