Former McComb Fire Chief Vernell Felder has filed suit against the city, which he says refused to pay his security company for services it provided at youth football games in 2006.
Felder, owner of G&F Security, claims in the suit that the city owes him $980 plus $64 in court costs — $1,044 total.
A trial is set for Dec. 21 in Pike County Justice Court.
The McComb Board of Mayor and Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize city attorney Wayne Dowdy to file an answer and defend the city in justice court in response to the suit.
Felder said the money was promised to him prior to the season. City administrator Quordiniah Lockley said at the board’s Sept. 22 meeting that records showed Felder’s company received payments in 2004 and 2005, but the state auditor blocked payment in 2006.
“The state auditor primarily said we could not purchase or seek services from an agent or organization owned by an employee or family member,” Lockley said in September.
Dowdy researched the matter further, and told the board at its Oct. 13 meeting that he discussed Felder’s request for payment with Tom Hood, executive director of the Mississippi Ethics Commission, and Hood told him there was no legal way the city could pay Felder, who ran the security company while he was fire chief.
Felder argued that former City Attorney John H. “Bubber” White refereed some games and received payment while employed by the city.
