A federal judge is dismissing a $50 million lawsuit filed by a downtown Neenah motorcycle shop against the city of Neenah and Winnebago County. The owners of Eagle Nation Cycles argued that authorities violated their civil rights during the execution of a search warrant in 2012. Judge William Griesbach in Green Bay also ruled that Eagle Nation Cycles cannot refile the suit.
Neenah city attorney Jim Godlewski said the attorneys for the bike shop weren’t responding to requests for depositions and other information, and that may have been an indication of the weakness of their claim.
Neenah Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson said anyone can make accusations, but it’s another thing to provide proof for sensational claims. Wilkinson said the dismissal is a commentary about credibility.
Bike shop owner Steven Erato also criticized the way police handled a standoff last month. A hostage, 60-year-old Michael Funk of Neenah, was shot by police officers. Neenah police said Funk had a gun, and officers ordered him to drop it. The state Division of Criminal Investigation is still reviewing that case.
WHBY