WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsJudge rejects $225K award for blind Wis. vendor
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Associated Press - November 6, 2009 11:15 AM ET
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A judge says the state of Wisconsin does not have to pay $225,000 to a blind vendor in a dispute over a failed Army dining contract.
An arbitration panel had awarded the money to Janet Dickey of Necedah to compensate for lost income after the Army canceled her contract to manage food service at Fort McCoy in western Wisconsin. The panel blamed state officials for failing to oversee the contract, which was part of a government law to promote work opportunities for the blind.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb threw out the award this week, saying states cannot be required to pay damages under the federal law.
The case exposed problems with the quality of meals served at Fort McCoy and has been closely followed by advocates for the blind.
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