Former Texas City Manager Awarded $12.5 Million in Discrimination and Retaliation Suit

A federal jury in Texas awarded a Black former city manager $12.5 million in damages after finding for him in his discrimination and retaliation suit. Odis Jones sued the city of Hutto after the city tried to avoid paying him his severance agreement. He alleged that this was due to his race.

Case background

Jones was Hutto’s first Black city manager. He was hired in 2016 and left in 2019. In 2020, he filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that several City Council members repeatedly tried to revoke his severance agreement. The agreement was for a year’s worth of pay and benefits, which totaled $412.

The City Council not only tried to revoke the severance agreement, but also engaged in “repeated efforts” to disparage Jones to the press and potential business partners. They also created a city resolution to declare the agreement void.

Jones was paid under the agreement in early 2022—but the new city manager and the city attorney tried rescinding the agreement in December, demanding that Jones return the money. According to Jones, none of the white city managers were exposed to the same demands or conduct.

Ultimately, the jury ruled in favor of Jones and awarded $12.5 million in damages. The plaintiff thanked the jury for “restoring [his] good name.”

If you believe that you’ve been discriminated or retaliated against at your workplace, you may have an eligible whistleblower claim. An experienced whistleblower attorney at Kardell Law Group can help. Call today for a consultation.