WASHINGTON -- D.C. officials have filed suit to recoup legal costs associated with what they call a frivolous complaint in a special education case.
The lawsuit comes after attorney John Straus in August filed a complaint alleging that the city hadn't conducted a psychiatric evaluation for a student at Spingarn High School. That month, D.C. officials said they authorized Straus to get the evaluation at the city's expense. But they said Straus didn't withdraw the complaint.
At a September due-process hearing, Straus said he pursued the complaint because the city's authorization didn't include a provision for attorney's fees.
Now, the city is suing Straus for about $1,750 to cover the cost of legal representation at the hearing, D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles said.
Nickles said he wants to deter the high number of due-process filings against the city.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
