Petsinger files suit against county

An Ellendale area man has added Steele County to the list of lawsuits he has filed – or is considering, claiming several departments are refusing to provide him public data about land he owns.

 

Daniel Petsinger filed a civil suit Aug. 16, naming the recorder’s office, auditor’s office and assessor’s office, as well as Steele County Attorney Robert Jarrett, as defendants.

 

In addition to compelling the county offices to comply with his public data requests, Petsinger is also seeking “punitive and compensatory damages for the deliberate delay … (and) willful disregard for the request of public data.”

 

The suit went on to say that the damage amount “can not be calculated at this time.”

 

At issue is a parcel of land that Petsinger bought in a tax forfeiture sale in 2017; the previous owner had entered into an easement agreement with Jaguar Communications, Inc., which was restructured in 2022, and is now known as Metronet.

 

Petsinger believes Metronet is trespassing on the property, and that the easement is invalid.

 

Jaguar Communications LLC has filed a lawsuit against Petsinger in Steele County District Court; he has filed a counterclaim alleging fraud, perjury, trespassing, theft and more.

 

Early last month, a judge dismissed six of Petsinger’s nine counterclaims, saying they were criminal claims that don’t belong in a civil case.

 

A motion hearing was planned for Sept. 23, with a court trial set for Oct. 4.

 

In order to support his defense and claims in the suit filed by Metronet, Petsinger has “diligently pursued public records concerning (the) property,” which is at the heart of the most recent case against Steele County.

 

When the county agencies did not provide the information, Petsinger turned to Jarrett, who the suit claims failed to respond.

 

The ensuing lawsuit is “driven by a commitment to ensuring that public data remains accessible and that government accountability is maintained,” according to a statement released by Petsinger.

 

No hearings have been set in the case.

 

Petsinger also had a lawsuit pending against Waseca County, alleging a breach of contract.

 

After nearly 10 years of using a tower on the Waseca County Fairgrounds for his own communications business, it was discovered the land and tower were actually owned by the county, not the fair board.

 

After negotiations with the county broke down, Petsinger alleged he couldn’t access his equipment – thus damaging his business. The case has now been settled out of court and the county intends to work with Petsinger and Radio Link Internet to provide broadband internet throughout the county. Per Petsinger, the agreement was part of the out-of-court settlement.