Former Minn. aide fired over affair files bias suit

7/24/2012

ST. PAUL -- A former Minnesota Senate aide who was fired after having an affair with the chamber's top Republican leader filed a lawsuit Monday saying he was treated unfairly and discriminated against because female employees involved in similar relationships didn't lose their jobs.

Michael Brodkorb, 38, was fired in December from his $90,000-a-year job as the majority GOP caucus' communications director after an affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch.

She later resigned from her leadership post and declared she wouldn't seek another term.

Mr. Brodkorb filed his lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, the Minnesota Senate, and a top Senate administrative official, claiming an invasion of privacy, defamation, and gender discrimination, among other things.