Ex-official gets chance to tell story

Web posted Saturday, January 13, 2001

 Have a thought? Go to the @ugusta Forums.

By Heidi Coryell
Staff Writer

Lon Morrey FILE/STAFF

Former City Comptroller Lon Morrey - who was fired Jan. 2 by unanimous vote of the Augusta Commission - says the government unfairly terminated his employment and disparaged him in the process.

A name-clearing hearing has been placed on Tuesday's full commission agenda at the request of local attorney Mike Brown, who represents Mr. Morrey as legal counsel. Mr. Brown did not immediately return phone calls Friday, and Mr. Morrey was out of town.

Under state law, any individual is entitled to a name-clearing hearing if one is requested, City Attorney Jim Wall said.

``It's an opportunity for him to present whatever information he thinks is necessary,'' Mr. Wall said. ``Basically, it's just an opportunity for him to tell his story.''

At the hearing, the former comptroller will have the opportunity to call commissioners as witnesses, ``so that they could be confronted with the total lack of evidence supporting the various assertions of incompetence and the implications of misconduct,'' the attorney's letter states.

According to the hearing request, which is dated Jan. 8, Mr. Morrey will contend that he was fired because of his role in bringing attention to improprieties in the purchasing department and improper accounting procedures in the city's fire department.

``I point out that when he began delivering information to the grand jury, he came under fire from the commissioners,'' Mr. Brown wrote in his letter to the board.

City officials have said the firing was legal because department directors serve at the pleasure of the commission.

An independent audit conducted by the city's external auditors, Cherry Bekaert & Holland, also will be addressed at the hearing.

Mr. Morrey will argue that the 1999 audit report was used ``as a sham to obfuscate the vital issues concerning poor financial practices followed by the commission.''

Kip Plowman, a partner with the auditing firm, said Cherry Bekaert & Holland may consider legal action if Mr. Morrey defames the company.

``That's ridiculous,'' Mr. Plowman said. ``We have binders worth of papers to support our work.''

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.

Submit Your Opinion Name: Email: Enter your comments here:

@ugusta is a proud member of Augusta.com.