By Frank Phillips

DLC Media News

 

On Monday night the Clay County Council unanimously approved Commissioner Paul Sinders’ request for $60,000 in additional funds to pay an outside attorney to defend the county in a lawsuit related to the case dismissed in U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis, on March 29. 

That lawsuit, filed on behalf of three noncitizens jailed in Clay County, challenged ICE’s authority to continue detaining ICE inmates at the jail, ICE’s authority to continue paying federal funds to Clay County for the detention of non-citizens, and the county’s use of federal funds for purposes other than the care of noncitizens, stated Judge Tanya Walton Pratt in her decision in March.

Now, the same outside attorney retained by the county says it is likely new legal action will be filed on behalf of the three inmates before the deadline later this month. 

Sinders said he doesn’t think the lawsuit will have any merit.

 

County Council President Larry Moss said the county may get some relief. 

“The next appeal may trigger our insurance,” he said.