News outlets (AlphaNews and KSTP) have obtained the settlement document between sitting state Rep. Bianca Virnig (DFL-Eagan) and her former outside employer, BrightWorks.
KSTP reporter Tom Hauser posted the document on Twitter (X) this morning. It reveals that BrightWorks paid Virnig $108,224.54 as part of an agreement for her to leave the nonprofit.
We were the first to report on how taxpayers are funding Virnig’s private legal bill in this deal, to the tune of $10,391.40. The move came earlier this week at a meeting of the state house of representatives Rules Committee, still under the control of Democrats for the next few weeks.
In the normal course of things, the prevailing party in a legal settlement would be expected to pay their lawyers out of the settlement windfall. In this instance, Rep. Virnig stuck taxpayers with the bill.
There was no lawsuit filed. State government was not a party to the agreement reached between these two private parties.
Neither the settlement document nor its underlying terms were provided when asked for by Republicans prior to the committee vote. And for good reason, as not a single word in the settlement supports the narrative spun by committee Democrats.
Democrats in committee accused BrightWorks of violating the law (Minnesota Statutes section 3.088), in their treatment of Virnig, an elected public officeholder. The agreement itself, under section 4’s paragraphs, would appear to state that both parties agree no such violation took place.
It was this alleged lawbreaking that Democrats used to justify taxpayer payment of their member’s private legal fees.
The agreement codifies the separation terms between Virnig and her long-time employer. But it sheds little light on the underlying causes of this separation.
AlphaNews notes that House Democrats refused to comment on these revelations.
Your tax dollars at work!