Judge: Gay Police Officer's Discrimination Suit Stands
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (WCCO/AP) -- Settlement talks have been set for former St. Cloud police officer who filed a lawsuit alleging the police department discriminated against him because he's gay.
Sean Lathrop was an officer with St. Cloud's department from 2006 until 2010. According to the suit, Lathrop was subject to discrimination after a letter was sent to their department in 2009 requesting Lathrop be allowed to work at a booth at the Twin Cities Pride festival.
The City of St. Cloud denies that Lathrop was discriminated against.
U.S. District Judge Donald Frank denied three of the five requests by the city for summary judgment on the lawsuit's claims, but allowed the requests on the others.
According to the St. Cloud Times, Latrhop's attorney calls it a "well-reasoned decision." An attorney representing the city and police department members says she's confident the facts would support the city if the case goes to trial.
If a settlement can't be reached next month, the case is expected to go to trial on March 19.
