Former Interim City Administrator Ebony Ross has filed a lawsuit against the city of McComb claiming wrongful termination, emotional distress, libel and slander.
Ross, who worked in several different positions for the city beginning March 2015, became interim city administrator June 30, 2020, and says in the lawsuit that she was terminated on Feb. 23, 2021, after a vote in executive session.
Ross filed a claim letter in August in which she asked compensation of $500,000, which is the statutory maximum when a government entity is sued in Mississippi, in addition to losses sustained, court cost, attorneys fees and legal interest.
“I cannot comment on ongoing litigation, and we feel strongly about our case,” Ross’ attorney Edwin Bean said Friday.
Ross’ lawsuit claims she discovered another city employee was engaged in illegal conduct by collecting workers’ compensation benefits while at the same time receiving her regular salary.
The complaint also alleges Ross reported the actions to city officials, including Mayor Quordiniah Lockley. It further claims Lockley began retaliating against Ross after she reported her discovery.
City sources confirmed last year that human resources director Donjurea Davis was the employee who simultaneously collected the worker’s compensation and salary, but they said Davis was unaware it was a problem because she was working during sick leave.
Davis repaid her salary, resolving the issue, city officials said then.
Davis said in August that “it is settled, and I have no further comment.”
Reached Friday, she deferred to her attorney, John Ott, who could not immediately be reached for comment.
The McComb city board voted 3-1 following a three-hour-long executive session on Feb. 23 to demand Ross’ resignation. After that, an employee took control of city hall’s Facebook page and began posting accusations of fraud and inappropriate behavior between selectmen and employees. Selectmen Michael Cameron, Ted Tullos and Shawn Williams voted in favor of seeking the resignation, while Selectman Ronnie Brock voted against it and Selectman Devante Johnson recused himself. Selectman Donovan Hill was absent the day of the vote.
On Feb. 25, city officials accepted Ross’ verbal resignation.
City Administrator David Myers on Friday directed questions to city board attorney Marcus Williams.
“At this point, I really don’t have any comment,” Myers said. “I can’t comment on it because it’s litigation against the City of McComb. I refer all comments to our attorney.”
Williams could not be reached for comment by presstime Friday.
