SHERMAN – The City of Sherman has been sued by a public works employee who alleges the defendant denied him a promotion because of his race.
Collin County resident Jonathan A. Kirksey filed a lawsuit on Nov. 10 in Sherman federal court, stating he lost out on the position of Director of Public Works despite extensive work experience and numerous accolades.
Kirksey, who is African American, asserts the subject position went to a Caucasian former police officer who lacked prior experience in public works.
The respondent hired Kirksey on Aug. 1, 2016.
According to recent court documents, the city demoted the plaintiff to Assistant Director of Public Works to “Assistant Public Works Manager,” a title that was previously non-existent and had no job description, earlier this year.
Assuming his new position, the original petition says, Kirksey “was routinely kept out of the loop and prevented from performing his prior job functions.”
The suit further explains that the complainant experienced a hostile work environment highlighted by an investigation into whether he used profanity in a private telephone conversation with another city employee while off-duty.
As of the filing of the suit, Kirksey was the only African-American in middle or upper management working for the defendant.
A jury trial is requested.
Attorney Robert E. L. “Ed” Richardson of the Richardson Law Firm in Sherman serves as the plaintiff’s lead counsel.
Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas Case No. 4:17-CV-0794