A claim filed against the state by the R.C. Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology and one of its subsidiaries has been denied by the Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office, the Shawano Leader has learned.
SIST, and its subsidiary Midwest Hotels and Motels of Shawano, LLC, filed a notice of claim in August against the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health and Family Services, over the way the department handled the inspection and licensing of the Best Western Village Haus.
The claim and a draft copy of a civil suit that SIST apparently intended to file in U.S. District Court were sent to the Attorney General’s office on Aug. 5.
The draft complaint alleges that the state — through an employee in one of its departments — interfered with SIST’s business operations because of the racial background of Samanta Roy, who is of East Indian descent.
The complaint further alleges violations of property rights, due process, equal protections and statutory authority.
Much of the language in the complaint is similar to a civil suit filed by SIST against the City of Shawano on July 29 regarding the city’s handling of liquor licenses, and the suit filed on April 13 against the Shawano Leader, which was dismissed this week by a federal judge.
The response from the Attorney General’s Office sent to SIST on Oct. 6 denied the claim.
“Our investigation reveals no basis to substantiate any liability on the part of any State of Wisconsin employee,” the letter stated.