Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

The City of Albany has received a formal discrimination complaint from ousted Assistant Fire Chief Roderick Jolivette.

The city attorney’s office received verbal confirmation last week of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against City Manager Al Lott. 45-year-old Jolivette was fired in May for misusing city equipment, and has already filed a discrimination complaint for that incident. Lott reinstated Jolivette in June with a demotion and suspension. Jolivette filed the complaint July 14th, the day before his suspension ended, alleging discrimination and retaliation.

In the complaint Jolivette writes “On June 15, 2009, I was demoted 4 levels, suspended thirty days and placed on a ninety day performance improvement plan by Alfred Lott. I was never told why my White co-workers were disciplined less severely than myself under similar or more serious circumstances. I believe that I have been discriminated against because of my race (African American) and in retaliation for opposing unlawful employment practices in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.”

The city must now submit information to the EEOC defending the allegations against Lott.