Minnesota Attorney Sanctioned for ‘Frivolous Lawsuit’

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge is ordering sanctions against a Minneapolis attorney for a lawsuit over an American Indian land issue.

U.S. Chief District Judge Michael Davis calls the claims by lawyer Erick Kaardal "completely frivolous without a factual or legal basis."

The Star Tribune reports Davis ordered Kaardal to pay "severe sanctions" by reimbursing the attorneys' fees and costs of the groups he's sued.

That could run from $175,000 to $1 million, based on defense attorney claims that will be submitted to Davis. The judge ordered Kaardal to post a $200,000 bond.

The lawsuit sought to reclaim 12 square miles of reservation land in southern Minnesota for descendants of Dakota Indians. Davis dismissed the case in March.