A woman who received threatening letters written by former Chisago County Sheriff Rick Duncan under the pen name "Control Freak" sued Duncan and the county Wednesday, alleging he intended to coerce her into a sexual relationship while she worked for him.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Michelle Jacobson, who worked as a crime analyst in the sheriff's office, alleges that Duncan sexually harassed her, inflicting extreme emotional distress, and that his actions violated her constitutional rights of equal protection.
Jacobson's suit further alleges that Chisago County created a hostile working environment in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act and was complicit in Duncan's infliction of distress.
Duncan, a former Minneapolis police lieutenant, had served eight years as sheriff when he resigned unexpectedly in May, citing medical issues. With a salary of $123,000 a year, he was the second-highest-paid county official.
Soon after, documents from an independent legal investigation revealed that Duncan had admitted writing threatening letters to Jacobson last fall under the name "Control Freak," directing her to go with him to a training session in Bemidji and stay overnight at a hotel together or risk harm to her family.
Duncan claimed to have received six letters from "Control Freak." In one letter addressed to Jacobson, a mother of four, "Control Freak" wrote, "This is no idol [sic] threat. I also know where your kids go to school." Another letter addressed to Duncan threatened his wife.
Duncan's attorney, Marshall Tanick, said Duncan is cooperating with authorities.
"There are a number of disputed and unresolved issues in this case, and we are working with the authorities to try to address and resolve them," Tanick said Wednesday.
