Minneapolis, MN - On September 10, 2012, a jury in federal district court awarded Officer Sean Coffey $184,000 in his First Amendment retaliation claim. The case is entitled Sean Coffey v. William Sullivan, Court File Number 10-CV-4060 JNE/TNL. Officer Coffey is a police officer with the Oakdale Police Department who sued Oakdale Police Chief William Sullivan claiming that he was placed on administrative leave and recommended for termination as a result of exercising his free speech rights in union meetings concerning a Vote of No Confidence in Chief Sullivan. The jury awarded Officer Coffey $184,000 in damages. Officer Coffey’s attorney, Matthew Morgan, stated: “Officer Coffey spoke about a matter of public concern and experienced retaliation as a result. He is very happy that the jury agreed.”
