AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta leaders will discuss potential lawsuits in legal sessions, but the first session since the city was put on notice of potential multi-million suit, city leaders are saying they’re in the dark. “I can’t say anything, I don’t have the facts about it. i can’t say anything about it because I don’t know what its,” said Commissioner Francine Scott.Last week, Tanya Kitchings, the former Administrative Assistant for Steven Kendrick in the Tax Commissioner’s office filed an official notice with the city attorney of her plan to sue the city for $5 or $6 million dollars for wrongful termination, and sexual harassment.Though the topic is fitting for a legal session, discussion city leaders saying not until they’re sued.“Usually an ad-litem we won’t discuss it, it takes a lawsuit or served papers to go to court is what we will be discussing,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle.A floor below the commission meeting where early voting is taking place this is being discussed as Kendrick is on the ballot as one of three challengers for the mayor’s seat.“Of course, as a female it’s definitely on my mind but I also understand how people in politics can bring out the worse in people, so I do keep that in mind as well,” said Esshaunda Rasher.“Is that impacting how you are voting?”
“No, because I know there’s a lot of times there’s a lot of mudslinging and people get things set up to try and get somebody else, not dealing with the issues,” said John Sampson.But in future legal sessions, commissioners will also have deal with the issues with options like a court fight or settlement.“Would you advise the attorney to settle this before going to court?”
“Absolutely not I’m not going to throw five, six million dollars at this. I think everybody has a day in court,” said Guilfoyle.With four candidates in the mayor’s race, a run-off is possible, so this political cloud could be hanging over the mayor’s race until the middle of June…