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Gibson County surveyor wins re-election, loses big lawsuit | News

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Gibson County surveyor wins re-election, loses big lawsuit
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Gibson County surveyor Michael Stevenson filed a lawsuit against the county for more than $600,000.

Gibson County surveyor Michael Stevenson won re-election last Tuesday, earning his third term in office. However, Stevenson recently lost a lawsuit against the county.

It's all a bit ironic.
Stevenson was suing Gibson County for $680,000. He filed a lawsuit against the county more than three years ago alleging he was improperly paid for being a licensed surveyor.
 
He says he was underpaid according to the Indiana Surveyor Statute. His attorney claimed his lost wages were subject to triple the amount owed according to the Indiana Wage Payment Statute.
However, Judge David Kelly ruled Stevenson was not covered under that statute because he is not a county employee, rather he is an elected official.
County Council President Jeremy Overton says if the county had lost, the settlement payment would have completely depleted the "rainy day" fund. 

"Obviously from a financial stand point we were hoping we wouldn't have to pay out any kind of settlement, so considering the circumstances, it's gone about as good as it could have gone for the county. I think the fact that he was re-elected on Tuesday is really a testament to the kind of work that he's done," Overton said. 

Stevenson's attorney, Jeffrey Kolb, declined to comment, saying he would have to speak with his client to see where they'll go from here and if they'll take their case to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.

 

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