JACKSON, Miss.-Mayor Tony Yarber has released a statement after not showing up to the city council meeting Tuesday morning as members discussed the sexual harassment lawsuit that was filed against him.
“This is now a legal matter. My private legal counsel will respond accordingly. I was unable to attend the meeting today as I had a conflict,” he released in a statement. “We will continue to work with the Council on these and other issues. Indeed, now our focus is on crafting a budget and taking the necessary steps to keep Jackson on path to fiscal resiliency.”
This is the first time the council has met since former employee of Yarber, Kimberly Bracey filed a lawsuit against the Mayor. Bracy claimed she was in a sexual relationship with Yarber and when she tried to end it he threatened to fire her. She was eventually fired in April of 2015.
Yarber responded saying that the lawsuit was a “vicious and scandalous lawsuit filed by a former disgruntled employee.”
Opinions vary on what should happen if the allegations are true. At least one city council member says that Yarber should resign if he is at fault.
