McComb Human Resources Director Donjurea Davis is accusing two McComb selectmen — one of whom she filed a police report against for alleged stalking — of harassing her to the point of needing medication to treat depression and anxiety as the result of a toxic workplace they allegedly created.
Davis’s attorney John Ott said in a notice of claims sent to the city on Friday that the damages she’s suffered as a result of alleged harassment from selectmen Devante Johnson and Ronnie Brock stand at about $250,000 “and is increasing weekly.”
“Two McComb selectmen began a crusade of harassment toward Mrs. Davis, constantly barraging her for information about various items,” the complaint states.
Davis made a formal complaint of harassment and a hostile work environment last year. In order to investigate her claims, the city hired attorney Jim Warren III of Jackson to investigate.
“He concluded that Mrs. Davis had been the victim of a hostile/toxic work environment by the City of McComb and suffered as a result,” the complaint reads. “She was prescribed medication for depression and anxiety to be able to function in her daily activities.
“The harassment continued by Selectman Johnson and Brock. Their constant stream of emails made getting the work done for the city challenging, to say the least.”
Brock asked in July that the findings of the investigation be made public, but former board attorney Angela Cockerham advised the board not to release it, and the board voted 4-2 to heed Cockerham’s advice, with Johnson and Brock opposing.
“Although the city was placed on notice of this hostile work environment, the harassment continued,” Davis’ claim states. “More harassment came from Selectman Johnson, when Mrs. Davis was ill at home. He rode by her house, which is at the end of a cul-de-sac, in order to see if she was actually home. A police report was made of this stalking incident.”
Davis alleges Johnson and Brock began harassing her in March 2021 after former City Administrator Ebony Ross accused her of “double dipping” by being paid by the city while she was also receiving workman’s compensation.
Ross has filed a lawsuit of her own against the city in January, claiming wrongful termination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, libel and slander. Ross’ lawsuit alleges she discovered Davis was receiving worker’s compensation and being paid by the city. She claims that led to retaliation and her firing.
The claim from Davis, filed Friday, says Ross’ accusations are false.
Davis’ complaint acknowledges that she received $7,234 in worker’s comp benefits from Sept. 30, 2020 to Jan. 4, 2021, while she was out of work with a foot injury.
Davis, in her claim, said her attorney sent Ross a letter “explaining the real situation” and that she and the city’s worker’s compensation carrier “have agreed to amicably resolve this matter.”
Ott said in the letter that Davis’ worker’s comp case hadn’t been resolved and that “it is quite likely that workers compensation will actually owe her more money.” The claim states later that she did receive more worker’s compensation.
However, Ott said the only city funds Davis received at the time were for annual leave.
“Mrs. Davis was actually working from home on city business during the time she was supposed to be off work, because the city could not function without her making payroll,” her claim states.
Davis claims Ross falsely posted on the city’s Facebook page that Davis “owes the city” and accused her of “theft of taxpayer dollars” as well as posts concerning “adulterous relationships between a selectman and a department head employee.
Reached Tuesday, Johnson denied all claims of harassment.
“I believe this is a part of a witch hunt that we’ll solve one day, of course,” he said, deferring all other comments to his attorney.
Brock said Davis is not the only city employee he has emailed, but he denied harassing her.
“Any emails I have sent to the city of McComb employees has been in my job capacity,” Brock said. “I’ve sent emails to a lot of employees and that’s always in the capacity of my job. That other stuff, I have no idea about it.”
Ross’ attorney Edwin Bean declined to comment.
Lockley referred comments to board attorney Marcus Williams since it was pending litigation.
“I don’t have a comment on pending litigation,” Williams said.
While Davis is seeking $250,000 in damages, the amount could increase “if the misconduct continues,” Ott said.
Ott said Davis hopes to continue working for the city.
“She’s been a very, very good employee and I think she would like to continue,” she said.
