Former City Worker Files Suit Over Landfill Case

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A former Rapid City employee who was fired in the midst of fraud allegations over landfill fees has filed a federal lawsuit.

Former city landfill scale attendant Randy Meidinger, who was charged and acquitted of grand theft and forgery, says his constitutional rights were violated by the actions against him.

The case began in late 2009, when the city accused Fish Garbage Service of defrauding the city landfill by lying about the contents of trucks.

Criminal charges against owners George and Clifford Fish eventually were dismissed, but the city pursued a civil case and this past week accepted a $375,000 settlement.

Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker, one of several people named in the suit, tells the Rapid City Journal he would not comment about the complaint until next week.