Dave McCorquodale, the former assistant city manager for Montgomery, filed a lawsuit against the city Nov. 25, according to a petition filed in Montgomery County’s 284th Judicial District Court.
Montgomery City Council terminated McCorquodale effective immediately during a special meeting Nov. 18, Community Impact previously reported.
In his petition, McCorquodale alleges the city’s termination of him was retaliation for reporting allegations of fraudulent behavior by the Montgomery Police Chief Anthony Solomon. Solomon was hired by the city in 2019, according to prior reporting.
Montgomery Mayor Sara Countryman said to her knowledge the city has yet to be served and cannot comment without reviewing the petition.
What’s happening?
In his petition, McCorquodale alleges he discovered Solomon trying to pass a fraudulent employment agreement as legitimate to receive more benefits and a higher salary.
After discovering the alleged fraudulent behavior, McCorquodale claims he reported it to his boss, former City Administrator Gary Palmer, who recommended he report it to the Montgomery County district attorney’s Public Integrity Section. According to the petition, McCorquodale alleges that Palmer claimed his “contract didn't give [him] the legal protection he needed to touch issues like this.”
McCorquodale claims he reported the police chief’s fraud to the DA’s Public Integrity Section and informed Palmer and the city’s attorney that he had done so on June 6. The petition states Palmer then allegedly met with two former city officials to verify Solomon’s alleged contract was fraudulent.
After reporting the alleged fraudulent behavior, McCorquodale claims Countryman began “verbally attacking him and targeting him during public meetings and potentially discussing his employment and termination with the City Council and city attorney in closed executive session meetings,” according to the petition. Countryman also allegedly accused McCorquodale of acting unprofessionally and unethically.
The background
At several meetings in the fall of 2022, former Montgomery Mayor Byron Sanford discussed McCorquodale’s job performance when he was serving as interim city administrator after former City Administrator Richard Tramm was fired in May 2022, according to prior reporting.
During the Nov. 8, 2022 City Council meeting, Sanford claimed he proceeded with an internal investigation of McCorquodale led by Solomon due to alleged strife between McCorquodale and Solomon as well as McCorquodale and the city’s code enforcer.
At that same meeting, Solomon said he and McCorquodale did not have any conflict, Community Impact previously reported.
A closer look
McCorquodale is requesting monetary relief of over $200,000 but no more than $1 million, according to the petition, as well as the recovery of his attorneys’ fees and costs. McCorquodale is also requesting a jury trial.
What’s next
According to Montgomery County’s court website, the request to serve the city with the lawsuit was filed Dec. 2.
Community Impact has reached out to McCorquodale and McCorquodale’s attorney Gregg Rosenberg for comment.
This story is developing, and Community Impact will provide follow-up coverage.
View McCorquodale’s petition below.
