MS Coast city employee fired for supporting new mayor’s opponent, lawsuit says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pass Christian faces second lawsuit alleging political retaliation in firings.
- Fired director Mark Savasta claims dismissal followed support for opponents.
- City grapples with IRS fines, tax hikes and calls for state audit amid lawsuits.
Another former Pass Christian employee sued the city on Monday, alleging he was fired this year because he supported political opponents of the newly-elected mayor and alderman-at-large.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Gulfport, claims the Board of Aldermen violated free speech rights when leaders voted in April to fire Mark Savasta, the city’s community development director.
The lawsuit was the second time this month a fired employee sued Pass Christian for alleged First Amendment violations. It also comes amid financial turmoil. The Board of Aldermen voted earlier this month to ask the State Auditor’s Office to investigate possible financial mismanagement in the city’s code, water and harbor departments. Last week, leaders decided to raise property taxes for the first time in years and disclosed that the Internal Revenue Service fined the city $49,000 for failing to file tax forms.
The city has not had time to respond to the lawsuit. City Attorney Jim Simpson did not immediately return a message Tuesday morning. Mayor Kenny Torgeson declined to comment until he could review the complaint and speak to the city attorney.
The 5-page complaint says Savasta “actively campaigned” last spring for former Mayor Jimmy Rafferty, who was running for re-election, and Scott Naugle, an alderman-at-large candidate. Former Ward 4 Alderman Victor Pickich defeated Naugle and now holds the alderman-at-large seat. Torgeson, the longtime alderman-at-large, defeated Rafferty to become mayor.
The day after the municipal election, the board voted 3-2 to fire Savasta.
Board members also voted 4-1 to fire Virginia “Jenny” Lowery, a code enforcement employee. Lowery sued the city, Torgeson and Pickich earlier this month, alleging she was fired because she reported Pickich for misconduct.
Savasta’s lawsuit says the city claimed it fired him because he did not properly supervise Lowery. The lawsuit argues the city clerk, not Savasta, was responsible for supervising Lowery’s code deposits.
Savasta is seeking back pay for lost income and compensation for mental anxiety, stress and embarrassment he says he has suffered.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Jim Waide of Tupelo, also asks the city to reinstate Savasta in his job.