(Law Enforcement Today) A lawsuit was recently filed against the city of Minneapolis and the mayor by a couple of restaurant owners who say their business was vandalized and ultimately burned to the ground during the riots that occurred during the summer of 2020.
The rationale behind the lawsuit alleges that the city and officials failed in their response to contain and quell the riots within Minneapolis.
On February 8th, restaurant owners Kacey White and Charles Stotts filed a lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court alleging that both Mayor Jacob Frey and the city of Minneapolis failed to properly respond to the riots from May 27th and 28th in 2020 – which resulted in the Town Talk Diner & Gastropub burning to the ground.
The now permanently closed restaurant had first opened the doors back in 1946 and remained settled in it’s original location until it was reduced to charred rubble in May of 2020.
According to the lawsuit filed:
“Mayor Frey and the City failed to react to the seriousness of the riots and danger to Minnesotans and they failed to comply with policies to confront and stop the rioters. As a result of Mayor Frey and the City’s failed leadership, Kacey and Charles suffered damages in excess of $4,500,000.00.”
The lawsuit further alleges that Mayor Frey’s decision to have the Third Precinct evacuated essentially left locals and business owners to fend for themselves during the riots that ensued:
“[Mayor Frey] made the decision to evacuate the Third Precinct, removing police officers from the neighborhood, and leaving the citizens of Lake Street to defend themselves and their property.”
