Foot dragging by defense lawyers on document production in a wrongful discharge suit against a New Jersey county, coupled with disingenuous excuses, has caused a federal judge to issue sanctions.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider on Sept. 20 ordered Cape May County to reimburse plaintiff Arthur Montana for costs he incurred. The document requests, served on the county’s board of freeholders in 2009 and 2010, were not filled until September 2012.