It's been real, it's been nice, but homey don't play no conflict of interest. Attorney Dale Danks withdrew as counsel for Charles Graham, brother of Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham. Mr. Graham sued Hinds County in February after losing his job as Hinds County Emergency Operations Center Deputy Director. Mr. Danks filed the motion on June 17, 2011 and cited a "conflict of interest". U.S.Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson granted the motion on June 22 and gave Mr. Graham until August 1, 2011 to obtain new counsel or represent himself.
Mr. Graham filed suit after Hinds EOC Director fired him this year. Mr. Graham alleged wrongful termination and age discrimation. He further accused Mr. Lewis of being drunk on the job and asking him to "falsify siren reports." Mr. Danks represented Mr. Graham. Where is the conflict of interest?
Well, Mr. Graham was hired to replace Ricky Moore, who resigned after being employed twenty years at the Hinds EOC. Mr. Moore, who is white, sued Hinds County for racial discrimination after the county refused to hire him as the EOC Director, and instead hired Jimmie Lewis, who had no experience in emergency operations or similar tasks, but did possess a Master's degree in physical education and just happens to be black. Mr. Moore resigned after Hinds County hired Mr. Lewis. Mr. Danks is his attorney as well in the lawsuit.
The possible conflict comes in the fact the State Auditor reported in a press release on May 26:
"During the investigation, the State Auditor’s Office also received allegations that Supervisor Robert Graham used his position to influence Jimmy Lewis, director of emergency operations for Hinds County, to hire his brother Charles Graham for the assistant director with the emergency operations center for Hinds County. This issue was investigated, and it was determined that the Auditor’s Office did not have jurisdiction over this matter; however, the State Auditor provided a copy of the telephone recording of this conversation to the proper authority for review and possible action."
If indeed Mr. Graham was using his influence to hire his brother, then Mr. Danks might face a possible conflict of interest and did the correct thing in withdrawing as attorney for Charles Graham.
7 comments:
Charles lucked out. Now maybe he can find a real attorney.
Ricky Moore filed the suit when he was passed over to replace Larry Fisher. They hired Jimmy Lewis who was the director of the Permit department in Raymond. Lewis had worked for Fisher at EOC prior to him being named the Permit director several years ago. Lewis hires Charles at Robert Graham's request and they can not get along. Wouldn't surprise me if Hinds County doesn't settle that suit with Charles Graham, you know keep the money in the family. Thye will never settle with Ricky Moore, who actually has a suit, because he is white.
Yup. and Danks probably going to nail them in court. Lewis's job performance this year certainly hasn't helped his case. Wonder why they didn't get Precious to defend this lawsuit. Hinds won't settle because if they do, I think, and I can be wrong, that can be used against them in the other case to help show a pattern of discrimination.
Wow, Kingfish, you should never told them settling out of court might show a pattern of discrimination. They would not have thought that would make any difference...after all, Robert is above the law and can do whatever he wants, 'cause he is black...
I don't understand what Danks' conflict is. He is either representing everybody at City Hall, suing the rest of them, renting their tanning booths or setting their bond in Madison. What conflict?
Other than " passing-out " on a slot machine at sunrise, .... Danks has allot in common with Butch Brown.
They are both extremely arrogant and rub many people the wrong way .
Although both of these guys score high on the ass-hole factor,
I honestly believe that they both are seriously concerned about the future of Jackson and the entire state of Mississippi.
Love him or hate him, Dale Danks did get things done . ( as did Butch Brown )
With all of the racist tribal crap spewing forth from Kennie Stokes & Choke-a-way- Lew- Mom- baaw , ( sic ) .
..... I will buy a year's worth of tanning sessions for Danks if the Capitol City could return to the way it was in 1979.
" Flood included " .
BTW ... " there is no crime in Fondren" .
Interesting post Dale. BTW, did you have that tan in '79? I don't recall.
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