Troup County School System officials are staying mum on a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by former Troup High School coach Charles Flowers.
Flowers and his attorney filed a lawsuit Friday against Troup County School officials alleging he was fired because of his race. It also alleges malice and reckless indifference against his federally protected rights.
“We are aware that there was a complaint filed in federal court on Friday, October 19, 2012. School officials will review the complaint once it has been served and file appropriate responses in court to all allegations,” Troup County schools public relations director Tina Duckett wrote in an email Wednesday. “It is the practice of the Troup County School System not to comment on pending litigation.”
Flowers was terminated in February after two years as THS’s head coach after allegations that he recruited two players from Lanett, Ala., and helped pay their living expenses. Flowers has denied the allegations and disputed the school system’s decision to terminate his employment.
Earlier this year, Flowers filed an open records request with the Troup County School System seeking the personnel files of 20 current and former employees, among other records. The request came through a letter from Flowers’ attorney, Ruth W. Woodling of WoodlingLaw LLC in Atlanta, who said the information was being sought for a then-planned lawsuit.
If the coach isn't guilty of dong what he was accused of, fine. Sue. But taking this and making it an issue of race is despicable.