Latest news with #Hugley
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hugley attorney demands reinstatement, $213,000 and apology from councilors who fired him
Scroll to bottom to see full letter. COLUMBUS, Ga. () — An attorney representing former Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley has sent a letter demanding that his client be reinstated after being fired on Tuesday. The letter, dated Friday, May 30, was sent to Leslie Hartnett, the attorney representing the six city councilors who voted to terminate Hugley after 20 years as city manager and seven months from retirement. Attorney Scott Grubman claimed Hugley's firing violated state and federal law. He pointed out statements made by Councilor Charmaine Crabb in which she made alleged racist remarks in a sheriff's investigative report on the city's Finance Department. She accused Hugley of 'organized crime' and 'mafia-type behavior.' Crabb made the motion to fire Hugley and is the first signature on the termination notice. 'Less than two weeks after this interview report was released, and after Councilwoman Crabb was called out for this improper, racist behavior, including by Mr. Hugley through counsel, she introduced her unscheduled motion to terminate Mr. Hugley's employment, after over 40 years of employment with the City of Columbus, and 20 years as Columbus' first African American City Manager,' Grubman wrote. 'Councilwoman Crabb's signature is the first to appear on Mr. Hugley's termination letter. The letter claims the termination reasons violated Title VII's prohibition on race-based discrimination and retaliation.' WRBL has reached out via text to the 10 city councilors — Crabb, Byron Hickey, JoAnne Cogle, Toyia Tucker, John Anker, Glenn Davis, and Walker Garrett voted to fire Hugley. They have not made any public comments on the termination. Anker responded late Friday saying 'Council does not comment on personnel matters, and particularly now that Mr. Hugley has publicly threatened legal action against the city, we cannot comment. We refer you to any statements made during the Council meeting and vote to terminate Mr. Hugley.' In addition to Hugley's immediate reinstatement, the letter asks for a written apology, and $213,278.52 in compensation. Grubman claims failure to respond by June 6 will result in an EEOC discrimination charge. The attorney also demanded that all relevant documents and communications be preserved. Hugley-Demand-and-Preservation-Letter-May-30Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hugley's attorney says former city manager will fight termination by Columbus council
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The attorney for former Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley tells WRBL that his client plans to fight his termination. Scott Grubman pulled no punches this afternoon in the first public comments since seven city councilors voted to fire Isaiah Hugley late Tuesday night. According to his attorney, Hugley is weighing his options in the wake of his termination on a 7-3 vote of the city council on Tuesday. Since April, Hugley has been threatening legal action against six of the seven city councilors who voted to fire him. Grubman focused on the role of Councilor Charmaine Crabb. 'Look at the termination letter. Guess whose first signature is right there?' Grubman said. 'It's Councilwoman Crabb. I think it is obvious that this was motivated by racial bias.' Grubman claims Councilor Crabb made racial statements to Sheriff's Office investigators during an investigation of the city's Finance Department. Crabb and other councilors did not respond to a WRBL request for comment. They have not spoken publicly about Hugley's firing. 'Again, you had a councilwoman saying racist things,' Grubman said. 'Apologizing for it. But then a week later firing the long-term city manager based on nothing more than a pretext. That's racism. That's discrimination. That's actionable under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. So, I think a federal lawsuit is highly likely.' Hugley was planning to retire at the end of the year after two decades as city manager. The termination notice says he will paid salary and benefits through Dec. 31st. 'What did I say in every single letter?' Grubman said. 'Please just let Mr. Hugley serve out the remainder of his term without harassment or discrimination. And what did they do in response? They fired him after accusing him of being in the Mafia for going to black churches. That is the legal definition of discrimination. So is it going to get messier? It's going to get a lot messier?' Grubman says Hugley wants to pursue an appeal of his firing. Though his office is conflicted out of the case involving Hugley and council, City Attorney Clifton Fay says Hugley does not have any appeal rights through the city. Grubman understands it differently. 'In addition to any sort of litigation that might be filed under the city code Mr. Huguely is entitled to a public hearing, and we will be requesting that public hearing,' Grubman said. 'But we are going to avail ourselves of the hearing because we think it's very important for the public, for the people of Columbus, to see what's going on here.' All of this comes amid speculation that Hugley, the city's first black city manager, is considering a 2026 run for mayor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Council votes 7-3 to terminate City Manager Isaiah Hugley seven months before his retirement
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — After a closed session late Tuesday night to discuss a personnel matter, the Columbus Council came out and voted to terminate City Manager Isaiah Hugley. Hugley has served as the City Manager of Columbus for two decades. He is the longest-serving city manager in the city's history and the first black executive to hold the position. Hugley announced earlier this year that he planned to step down from his post at the end of the year. The council did not wait. If the mayor does not recommend the city manager be terminated, it takes seven votes to remove him from office, according to the city charter. Mayor Skip Henderson did not make the recommendation. Councilors Byron Hickey, Charmaine Crabb, JoAnne Cogle, Toyia Tucker, John Anker, Glenn Davis, and Walker Garrett voted to remove him from the job. Two of the seven votes came from city councilors who are serving unexpired terms. Hickey is filling the spot vacated by Pops Barnes. Anker is filling the seat vacated by the resignation and subsequent death of Judy Thomas. Hugley has been embroiled in a highly publicized legal dispute with six city councilors. He has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Councilors Hickey, Crabb, Cogle, Tucker, and Anker. Those councilors had been critical of a 2022 American Rescue Plan federal grant awarded to Hugley's wife, Carolyn Hugley, a State Farm Insurance agent and Georgia House Minority Leader. In April, Hugley threatened legal action if the six councilors did not retract their statements and issue a public apology. The councilors have not done either. Two city departments have been the subject of criminal investigations in recent years. The Finance Department has been under scrutiny and the subject of audits and investigations into mismanagement. There were multiple arrests last year after a Columbus Police investigation into Animal Control. Hugley has been in the city manager's office since 1998, when he was one of two deputies under former City Manager Carmen Cavezza. He was elevated by the council and then-Mayor Bob Poydasheff in 2005. Hugley started with the city in 1984 as an assistant director of Metra, the city's transportation arm. Hugley is a 1975 graduate of Spencer High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history/pre-law from Talladega College in 1979 and a Master's degree in public policy and public administration from Mississippi State University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia House Democrats launch statewide town hall tour Tuesday
The Brief Georgia House Democrats launched a statewide town hall tour Tuesday in LaGrange to connect with voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. Lawmakers plan to address key issues including health care access, housing affordability, education, and economic opportunity. Despite Troup County's Republican lean, Democrats hope to engage new communities and emphasized that the event is nonpartisan and open to all residents. LAGRANGE, Ga. - Georgia House Democrats are launching a statewide town hall listening tour Tuesday night in Troup County, with the goal of connecting directly with residents and outlining their priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. What we know Democratic House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley and other members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus will gather in LaGrange to kick off the tour. Lawmakers say the event offers a chance to hear directly from their constituents and to share their legislative agenda. What they're saying "We're excited about this opportunity," Hugley said. "It's an opportunity for residents to hear how Democratic House members say they are working to expand health care coverage, address housing affordability, education and other pressing issues. Because our whole thing is about making Georgia the best place to live, to learn and to earn. And we think that people should be able to live their best lives here in Georgia and earn without limit." Despite rainy weather throughout the day, organizers hope turnout will be strong. They noted that the session is open to the public and emphasized that it is a nonpartisan event. "I have great expectations that if we can get Troup County on board, we can turn this state blue," Inetha Hatton, Troup County Democratic Party, said. Although former President Donald Trump carried Troup County by a wide margin in 2024, Democratic leaders say they are focused on building momentum in areas traditionally dominated by Republicans. "I do expect the good turnout. And I expect a big buzz that if you missed it tonight, you are missing a good thing," Hatton added. What's next The session is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in LaGrange.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hugley ups ante in dispute with six Columbus councilors, accusing Hickey of unethical actions
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — A heated dispute between Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley and six city councilors has escalated, with both sides trading accusations of ethical misconduct and harassment. At the center of the controversy is a $29,000 grant awarded to Hugley's wife, State Farm Insurance agent Carolyn Hugley, in 2022 from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The conflict has drawn public attention as lawyers for each side have been trading threatening letters since April 18. Hugley's attorney, Scott Grubman of Atlanta-based Chastain & Grubman, LLP, defends his client's handling of the grant, asserting that the process was transparent and followed multiple levels of independent review. In a letter dated April 28, addressed to Leslie Hartnett of FordHarrison, the Atlanta law firm representing the six councilors, Grubman argues that the council itself delegated the administration of ARP funds to the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Councilors Charmain Crabb, Glenn Davis, and Toyia Tucker, among others, voted in favor of the resolution. Because the administration of the funds was farmed out to the Chamber, Grubman questions whether Hugley was even required to notify the council. Hugley's attorney calls the councilors' accusations 'ambiguous' and accuses them, led by Councilor Byron Hickey, of engaging in a 'pattern of harassment and retaliation' against Hugley. Grubman alleges that Hickey attempted to influence a pay-raise decision for his wife, Sandra Hickey, a corporal with the Columbus Police Department, by verbally confronting Hugley and the City's Human Resources Director and sending a follow-up email on February 12, 2025. Grubman claims this behavior violates the same ethics code the councilors accuse Hugley of violating. Hickey was appointed to the council by his fellow councilors last year to fill the unexpired term of the late Pops Barnes. The District 1 seat Hickey holds will not be on the ballot until May 2026. Hickey declined comment on the latest allegations. Hugley has repeatedly referred all questions about the ongoing legal dispute to his attorney. Last week, Grubman said that Hugley's legal threats were serious and the city manager was not bluffing. The FordHarrison response letter dated April 23, to Hugley's initial letter the councilors categorically denied allegations that the councilors intimidated, defamed, or discriminated against Hugley. The councilors' lawyer argues that Hugley, as a public figure, is attempting to deflect scrutiny from the council's oversight role by publicizing his attorney's letter through media outlets. Last week, Hartnett said she does not comment on 'on going legal matters.' Hugley, who has announced his impending retirement, seeks to clear his name and serve out his term without further conflict. Grubman's latest letter warns the councilors to cease alleged defamation, harassment, and retaliation, reserving Hugley's legal rights. He also requests that the councilors preserve all relevant documents and communications, including those related to Hickey's alleged attempt to influence his wife's pay raise appeal. This fight comes as the city council is preparing to enter budget season. Traditionally, the city's fiscal budget, which begins on July 1, is finalized in a series of May meetings. Mayor Skip Henderson said he does not expect the conflict between Hugley and the council to impact the city's governance. This legal fight also comes amid speculation that Hugley could run for mayor in 2026. Henderson is term-limited and the office will be vacant for the first time in eight years. Henderson recently addressed his discussions with WRBL about a potential mayoral bid by Hugley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
