Update:
The city of Jackson has issued the following statement in response to the sexual harassment lawsuit:
“The City of Jackson has been made aware of a vicious and scandalous lawsuit filed by a former disgruntled employee, Kimberly Y. Vaunterice Bracey. Although the City has not been served with a copy of the complaint and summons, Mayor Tony T. Yarber and the City of Jackson stand ready to vigorously defend each and every frivolous allegation made by Kimberly Y. Vaunterice Bracey. When appropriate, the City of Jackson, Mayor Tony T. Yarber, and City personnel will seek all available remedies against Mrs. Bracey and possibly others, for this egregious character assassination and political ploy.”
From staff reports
A lawsuit filed today in U.S. District Court accuses Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and allowing a sexual hostile workplace.
Kimberly V. Bracey, the former executive assistant to the mayor, filed the lawsuit against Yarber and the city of Jackson. Bracey was hired April 24, 2014.
In the lawsuit, Bracey claims she and the mayor engaged in a sexual relationship around May 2014 while she was separated from her husband. At the time, she was living with City Attorney Monica Joiner, who, according to the lawsuit was pursuing a sexual relationship with Yarber. The lawsuit goes on to state that Bracey’s sexual relationship with Yarber ended in July 2014 when the plaintiff reconciled with her husband.
Bracey claims Yarber forced her to continue the sexual relationship or face termination. She also states she was the sole source of income for her family at the time. According to the lawsuit, Bracey was terminated by Yarber April 27, 2015 for unauthorized use of city equipment for personal use, but the plaintiff believes she was actually terminated for refusing the alleged sexual advances from Yarber.
The lawsuit also details fundraisers arranged by Marshand Crisler that took place in New Orleans, La. and Atlanta, Ga. during June 2014, August 2014 and September 2014 hosted by Mitzi Bickers, a campaign contributor of Yarber’s. The lawsuit states that at these fundraisers of which city staff members attended, strippers reportedly greeted those in attendance at the door. The lawsuit alleges that Bickers arranged for Yarber to be alone with a stripper and to have sex with a woman.
Bracey is seeking reinstatement or future wages in lieu of reinstatement, back pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, costs and expenses and any other relief to which she may be properly entitled.
Bracey’s attorneys are Louis H. Watson Jr. and Nick Norris.
See a copy of the lawsuit below.
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