Payroll documents for McComb Human Resources Director Donjurea Davis’ worker’s compensation payments are being interpreted differently by opposing legal parties.
A document obtained by the Enterprise-Journal shows Davis received pay from the city while she was also receiving worker’s compensation.
It said she received $14,259 in gross pay before taxes and $7,000 in worker’s compensation from Oct. 16, 2020, to Jan. 5, 2021. After taxes, the amount is $11,214, including $7,000 in worker’s compensation.
The issue centers around two complaints filed against the city. Former City Administrator Ebony Ross is suing the city, alleging wrongful termination, the intentional infliction of emotional distress and libel and slander.
Ross alleges wrongdoing because she discovered the overpayments to Davis.
Davis filed a notice of tort claim against the city on Feb. 4, disputing the claim that she received extra money.
Her notice acknowledged that she received $7,234 in worker’s comp benefits while she was out of work with a foot injury and working from home. But it 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.”
Davis’ attorney John Ott, in her notice to the city, said the worker’s compensation issue “has been fully resolved, with worker’s comp not making any claim for reimbursement from Mrs. Davis for $7,234.40. Instead they paid her $2,500.00 over and above that amount.”
Davis also alleged that Ross and selectmen Devante Johnson and Ronnie Brock have harassed her, and that Ross falsely posted on the city’s Facebook page that Davis “owes the city” and accused her of “theft of taxpayer dollars.”
Ott said all payments to Davis were approved.
“The proper parties approved all this,” he said. “The end result is there was no overpayment. She didn’t pay the city back.”
Ross’ attorney Edwin Bean declined comment. Board Attorney Marcus Williams did not return a message seeking comment.
