Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration has settled a lawsuit involving a transgender inmate, costing taxpayers nearly $500,000. According to a new report from OpenTheBooks.com, the settlement is being labeled a “sue and settlement” scheme orchestrated by a left-wing interest group.
Public records reviewed by the taxpayer watchdog group and initially reported by the New York Post reveal that the governor’s office allocated nearly $200,000 to Gender Justice, a nonprofit legal organization advocating for “gender equity.” This allocation occurred one year after the group filed a sex discrimination complaint against the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC).
The complaint argued that the DOC had discriminated against a transgender inmate, Christina Lusk, a biological male, by not placing her in a women’s prison and denying her requests for gender-affirming surgeries.
Christina Lusk was arrested in December 2018 for possession of methamphetamine and was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison. Prior to her arrest, Lusk had begun hormone therapy and sought “bottom surgery” to remove her male genitalia. She was released from state custody on January 31 and is now under supervision.
The settlement in the case amounted to $495,000, which was divided among Lusk, Gender Justice, and Robins Kaplan LLP, a law firm involved in the lawsuit. Lusk received $245,903.72, Gender Justice was allocated $198,000, and Robins Kaplan LLP was paid $51,096.28 in legal fees.
According to records provided by OpenTheBooks, Gender Justice received a total of $448,904 in 2023, including payments from the DOC and $5,000 from the Minnesota Department of Education, although the latter amount was not fully explained.
As part of the settlement, Minnesota’s DOC agreed to adopt the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care for treating inmates with gender dysphoria, a decision that was made without legislative input.
“This story made waves when the deal was first announced, but by following the money, taxpayers are able to get a much better look at the settlement and the consequences,” OpenTheBooks spokesperson Christopher Neefus told Fox News Digital. “Taxpayers are used to footing the bill, of course, but this deal also meant Minnesota would change its policies when it comes to transgender inmates. That sidestepped the public input that comes with a legislative debate.”
Robins Kaplan LLP, which received over $51,000 in legal fees, also contributed more than $22,000 to Governor Walz’s gubernatorial campaign. Additionally, Gender Justice’s board includes a member from the Minnesota Department of Health, part of the Walz administration.
The settlement in Minnesota highlights ongoing debates in several liberal states over taxpayer-funded transgender procedures and accommodations in prisons. Earlier this year, Colorado became the first state to introduce segregated holding cells for transgender women in prison, following a class-action lawsuit by transgender inmates alleging discrimination, harassment, and assault.
In a related development, health officials in the Biden administration successfully lobbied the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) to remove the age limit for transgender surgical procedures for adolescents, according to court documents unsealed in June.
The debate over transgender policies continues to divide opinions, particularly regarding taxpayer funding and the extent of accommodations provided to transgender individuals in correctional facilities.
