Beane v. City of Sturgeon Bay

The issue presented is whether as a matter of law the City of Sturgeon Bay complied with its statutory responsibility under sec. 895.46(1) (a), Stats., 1 to provide legal counsel to defend plaintiffs-police officers when they were sued civilly in federal court. A second issue is whether equitable estoppel is available to the plaintiffs under the circumstances of this case.

On January 14, 1982, plaintiffs filed a four-count amended complaint against defendant-City of Sturgeon Bay seeking indemnification for legal expenses incurred in the defense of a civil rights action. In the amended…