NEWPORT - A former Newport City Council member has filed a civil lawsuit against the town’s mayor, alleging violations of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.
Pauline Schottmuller, served three terms on the council from 1998 to 2010, filed the complaint in Washington County District Court last week. She still lives in Newport, an eastern Twin Cities suburb.
In the complaint against Mayor Tim Geraghty, Schottmuller details four alleged open meeting law violations dating back to 2009, with the most recent alleged infraction occurring Oct. 23 when council members voted in a closed-door meeting.
Geraghty declined to comment on the complaint but said he will likely hire a private attorney.
Two of the alleged violations stem from a failure to to summarize a performance evaluation that was conducted in a closed session.
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The most recent violation listed in the complaint occurred Oct. 23 when the City Council is said to have voted in a closed-door meeting regarding an investigation of three Newport police officers.
