BISMARCK -- The fired executive of the state's workers' compensation agency has filed paperwork that is considered the first step in filing a lawsuit.
Brent Edison says he was defamed and targeted for partisan political reasons.
The Workforce Safety and Insurance board fired Edison Oct. 17 for no stated reason. He'd been chief executive officer since January 2002.
Under state law, the CEO serves at the pleasure of the board, making him an at-will employee who doesn't need to receive notice. But Edison said the board and some WSI managers and employees broke state laws in dismissing him.
The board, in a prepared statement Friday, said it could not respond to Edison without discussing his allegations in a meeting and have not yet done so.
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Edison alleges the board broke open meeting laws, defamed him, denied his Fifth Amendment right to due process, illegally retaliated against him and fired him for partisan political reasons, violating state law and constitutional guarantees of free speech and affiliation.
Edison wouldn't discuss details of his allegations, referring questions to his attorney, who was not available Friday. But he said the claim and possible legal action are necessary because this board cannot be held accountable any other way.
Edison's allegations are in a notice of claim, a document required of anyone considering suing the state.
Vicki Schneider at the Risk Management Division said Edison's claim will be investigated, but there is no deadline to complete it.
The WSI board met Thursday but did not discuss the claims.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830
