A 20-year veteran of law enforcement has filed suit against the City of Auburn.
Clair Manley, a former captain with the Auburn Police Department, was second in command prior to the termination of her employment.
Manley’s immediate supervisor was current Auburn police chief Fred Brown.
Manley’s lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the northern district of Georgia, alleges violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 regarding gender discrimination.
According to court documents, Manley was subjected to a hostile work environment while employed by the Auburn Police Department. The lawsuit accuses Brown of using hostile and intimidating words and making sexually suggestive statements in Manley’s presence.
Manley accuses Brown of discussing his sexual relationship with his wife in her presence and of allowing other officers to make inappropriate comments regarding Manley’s body.
When Manley advised that she intended to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Brown allegedly targeted Manley for termination.
Manley’s termination followed an internal affairs investigation instigated by Brown. Manley was charged with insubordination for allegedly rolling her eyes while Brown was addressing staff.
Despite findings that Manley had not violated any departmental policies or procedures, the 54-year-old police captain was terminated. Manley appealed the termination, but the Auburn City Council upheld the firing.
Manley said the city’s actions violated her right to a workplace free of retaliation and sexual harassment. As a result, Manley said she has suffered “severe mental anguish, embarrassment, loss of esteem in the eyes of the community…and loss of her primary income source.”
Manley is seeking compensatory and punitive damages including legal fees.
