Former Carter County EMA director threatens lawsuit for “hostile work environment”

In a letter released late Thursday, an attorney for former Carter County emergency management director Billy Harrell demands a $1 million settlement from Mayor Patty Woodby for allegedly violating his first amendment rights and creating a hostile work environment. Woodby fired Harrell shortly after he spoke to WCYB to refute her claim that he had no emergency plan when Helene struck. Documents obtained from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed there is an up-to-date plan and was signed by Woodby. The letter also calls Woodby’s claims about the emergency plan an “abject lie,” and says the claims resulted in defamation that have made it difficult for Harrell to get a job. The letter also mentions “personal vendetta” orchestrated by Woodby. Harrell’s attorney gave Woodby ten days to respond to the letter to avoid a lawsuit. Woodby told WCYB that she “cannot comment on pending or threatened litigation.”