ESCANABA (WZMQ) – The Delta Conservation District is being sued by its former manager, according to the board’s current chair.

Rory Mattson formerly worked as Conservation District CEO and manager, retiring at the end of 2023. On Friday, Chair Joe Kaplan told the Conservation District Board they received a lawsuit from Mattson on March 28, regarding a “breach of contract.”

“Mr. Mattson is claiming that he wants his DLA payment and a bonus that was approved by the previous board,” said Kaplan.

Kaplan says the board has 28 days to respond to the lawsuit. At the recommendation of the Attorney General’s Office, Kaplan reached out to the district’s insurance provider about defense coverage.

“We have a policy that covers lawsuits,” Kaplan said to the board. “There is a $5,000 deductible, but after that, we’re covered. There’s a lot of money at stake here.”