House Approves Over $10K Reimbursement for Representative’s Legal Fees Amid $108K Settlement in Employment Dispute

(KNSI) — After a recent House Rules Committee vote granting more than $10,000 to pay Representative Bianca Virnig’s legal fees for a private employment dispute, a data request revealed that Virnig (DFL-Eagan) received more than $108,000 from the settlement.

House GOP Speaker-Designate Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) voiced her frustration, saying, “House Democrats voted to use taxpayer money to pay for their member’s personal and private legal fees with zero information on the settlement,” said Demuth. “Virnig received a $108,000 payment and taxpayers were still put on the hook for legal bills as a result of a private employer violating state law. It is beyond disrespectful for the lame duck Democrat majority to force this through last week – given these terms, the Rules vote must be reversed.”

The settlement stemmed from a dispute over Virnig’s civilian job at BrightWorks, a nonprofit school cooperative. She alleged the company cut her pay and hours after she returned to work following the end of the legislative session. A law guarantees protections for lawmakers returning to their jobs once the session ends, and Virnig filed suit.

The DFL contends the reimbursement was appropriate because the lawsuit was connected to her service. Demuth says Rep. Virnig absolutely has the right to seek relief for a potential violation of her rights, but it should not come on the backs of Minnesota taxpayers, and BrightWorks should be held accountable.

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