The Associated Press
ST. PAUL - A lawyer for the Minnesota Senate is arguing that a lawsuit over a Republican ex-staffer's firing belongs in federal court instead of before a state judge.
A filing Thursday seeks to transfer the lawsuit filed by Brodkorb, who contends he was wrongfully dismissed after an extramarital affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch became known. Brodkorb's lawsuit was filed last month in state district court.
In the Senate's filing, attorney Dayle Nolan says the gender discrimination claim is a matter of federal jurisdiction. Brodkorb tweeted that the shift is "unremarkable and not unexpected."
Brodkorb is also suing Senate officials for alleged defamation and invasion of privacy. The case is an election-year distraction for Republicans who run the Senate.
The federal filing was first reported by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. )