Conservative group reaches settlement with country club over cancelled forum

The Rochester Golf and Country Club has paid the Center of the American Experiment (CAE) $5,300 to settle a lawsuit over the cancellation of a March event focused on crime and public safety.

In a news release Friday, the conservative think tank said the settlement will cover “100 percent of its costs” related to the cancellation of the event.

As part of the action, CAE also dismissed its claim against club member Erin Nystrom for interference with the contract. Nystrom had been involved in starting a petition to prevent the event from happening.

“I am pleased the Rochester Country Club fully reimbursed American Experiment for the costs of canceling the event,” said John Hinderaker, CAE’s president, in a written statement.

CAE had planned to host an event dubbed “The Crime Crisis: Rochester” on March 15 at the country club. However, the club notified the organization in the days leading up to the event that it would no longer host the forum. The club, which had hosted CAE events in the past, said it had “determined that it was not in the best interest of the Club membership to hold the event.”

In a statement Friday, general manager Kevin Ehlert noted the settlement came without any admission from the club of liability or wronging.

“The complaint CAE filed against the Club in Olmsted County District Court claimed damages ‘in excess of $50,000.00.’ By settling now, the Club avoids the significant costs of litigating CAE’s claims, which it continues to reject,” said Ehlert. “Although the Club continues to reject CAE’s claims, it is pleased to have reached a final resolution.”

Despite being informed of the club’s decision more than 24 hours in advance of the event, CAE did not notify attendees of the cancellation, resulting in 50 people showing up outside the club. The group also filed a lawsuit against the club alleging breach of contract.

The event was later rescheduled for April 26 at the Rochester Event Center, and featured panelists including CAE public safety policy fellow Jeff Van Nest, Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson and Rochester Police Chief Jim Franklin. CAE estimates about 200 people attended the forum.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.