Fired deputy city attorney sues over missing texts and alleged retaliation
A legal dispute has intensified between the city and Michelle McGinnis, the former deputy city attorney fired in January 2025. McGinnis, who once led the criminal branch of the City Attorney's Office, has filed a lawsuit claiming retaliation and misconduct by her superiors. The case now centres on missing text messages and a deleted phone record that could hold key evidence.
The conflict began in April 2024 when McGinnis was escorted from City Hall and placed on administrative leave. Her work computer was seized, and she was later dismissed in January 2025. Her lawsuit accuses City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto and others of improper decision-making, including allegations of alcohol consumption in the office.
McGinnis' lawyer, Caleb Mason, subpoenaed text messages between Feldstein Soto and Denise Mills, a colleague, in December 2024. However, few messages were produced. Mason now claims some may have been deleted or intentionally withheld. Mills performed a factory reset on her phone on January 30—weeks after the subpoenas were served—potentially erasing relevant evidence. Feldstein Soto maintains she handed over all requested messages and stands by McGinnis' termination. The city argues that McGinnis frequently clashed with Feldstein Soto over policy and prosecutorial choices. Laurie Levenson, a law professor, called the phone reset reckless or negligent, given the ongoing legal dispute.
The missing messages and deleted data could play a crucial role in McGinnis' lawsuit. Her claims of retaliation and office misconduct remain under scrutiny, while the city insists her firing was justified. The case may hinge on whether further evidence can be recovered or verified.
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