Brooklyn Park’s Lawyer Moves to Dismiss Council Member’s Lawsuit
Attorneys representing the city of Brooklyn Park and several of its council members have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Council Member Maria Tran.
Tran filed the lawsuit after the council publicly asked her to consider consulting a mental health professional.
The lawsuit, which was originally filed just before Thanksgiving, claims a majority of the council defamed Tran, violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act and open meeting laws, and unlawfully spent public funds.
Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston, as well as Council Members Christian Ericksen, Nichole Klonowski, XP Lee and Tony McGarvey were named in the lawsuit as individuals and in their capacity as council members.
Brooklyn Park City Council Member Maria Tran takes the oath of office. She filed a lawsuit against several of her colleagues and the city of Brooklyn Park. Attorneys representing the city have asked a judge to dismiss the case.
An amended version of the complaint added the city of Brooklyn Park to the list of defendants.
Tran asked for at least $50,000 in damages, as well as the cost for attorney fees. She’s being represented by Paul Ostrow, a former assistant Anoka County attorney and Minneapolis City Council Member.
Responding to the amended complaint, attorneys representing the city said he council’s actions were “lawful, proper and based on substantial evidence in the public record.”
Likewise, they requested a judge dismiss the case with prejudice — meaning it’s permanently dismissed and cannot be brought back to court.
The court has scheduled the case to go to trial on Jan. 5, 2026.
See also: Brooklyn Park Council Member Sues Colleagues
