State Claims Immunity in Civil Suit
Written by Andrew-Rossi on January 3, 2018
The state of Wyoming is claiming elected officials and employees are immune from civil action in their capacities, as proceedings for a lawsuit continue over office space the state is renting.
The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports the Worland-based Voss Family Limited Partnership filed the suit in August of last year, claiming the state fell more than $930,000 behind on rent payments for temporary office space at a Cheyenne building. The lawsuit seeks the immediate eviction of the state officials and nearly $1.5 million in compensation.
The offices rented from the Voss Family are occupied by Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray, State Auditor Cynthia Cloud, State Treasurer Mark Gordon and their staff. State officials claim in court documents they’re withholding rent until the state is reimbursed for improvements it made to the space.
In documents filed last month, officials claim the lease is clear that the state retains immunity to civil action, and the partnership agreed to the sovereign immunity by signing the lease.
The newspaper reports that neither side has commented publicly on the case.