Former Employee Awarded $3M in Lawsuit Against Small MN City
Good Thunder, MN (MinnesotaNow) - A small city in southern Minnesota has been ordered to pay a former employee more than $3 million in damages.
Jury Awards Former Good Thunder Employee More Than $3 Million
According to Blue Earth County court records, Ashney Helleckson filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the City of Good Thunder about two years ago, and the case went to trial earlier this week. The jury that heard the case awarded Helleckson just over $2.5 million in punitive damages and another $500,000 in damages for lost wages and past and future emotional distress.
Former Mayor Faced Multiple Criminal Charges
In her lawsuit, Helleckson claimed she was fired from her job as city clerk because of her involvement in an investigation conducted by the Office of the State Auditor that led to criminal charges against the town's mayor. Robert Anderson was charged in October 2022 with embezzlement of public funds, theft, theft by swindle, and violating his contract as a public official. He later admitted to a gross misdemeanor offense in exchange for the dismissal of the felony charges brought against him.
READ MORE: Southern Minnesota Mayor Facing Theft, Embezzlement Charges
According to her lawsuit, Helleckson contacted the State Auditor's Office in September 2021 to report concerns about the legality of Anderson's involvement in the purchase of local property, which led to allegations that he personally benefited financially from the transaction. The court document says she also provided documentation and other information to investigators assigned to the case.
Former City Clerk Says She Was Fired in Retaliation
She claimed that her termination from the city clerk position in April 2023 was in retaliation for her involvement in the criminal investigation targeting the mayor. The lawsuit also details previous allegations involving harassment by a member of the Good Thunder City Council dating back to the fall of 2020. Helleckson claims Anderson took disciplinary actions against her after she reported the alleged harassment and filed a petition for a restraining order against the City Council member.
Good Thunder is a community of approximately 500 residents located about 10 miles south of Mankato.
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Gallery Credit: Samm Adams
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