Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Ramsey Co. Sheriff

ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- A federal lawsuit has been filed against Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom on Aug. 22, according to authorities.

Plaintiffs Joseph Miller and Alexander Graham are asking for $75,000 for employment discrimination.

According to Sarah McEllistrem, the attorney for the plaintiffs, Graham lost his job as a Sheriff's Deputy on Feb. 9, 2011. Miller, also a deputy, was terminated on Feb. 8, 2011.

McEllistrem said the basis of the suit is that both men were terminated because of their background, including the fact that they openly supported the former Ramsey County Sheriff, Bob Fletcher. Both men were active in Fletcher's campaign for reelection in 2010.

The lawsuit alleges that when Bostrom won the election, he singled out Miller and Graham, treated them unfairly, and ultimately terminated them.

Paul Gustafson of the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, representing Bostrom, said they received the case and are "defending the county's interests." They believe Bostrom worked in "best interests of the county and in accordance with the law."

Bostrom and the County have 21 days to answer the complaint.