Former College Park worker alleges councilman demanded fabrication of building regulations infractions in pursuit of personal feuds
Former College Park Code Enforcer Files Lawsuit Against City and Councilman
A former College Park code enforcer, Jerry Silver, has filed a lawsuit against the city of College Park and Councilman Roderick Gay, alleging that he was fired in violation of the Georgia Whistleblower Act. The lawsuit, filed last Friday in Fulton County Superior Court, claims that Silver was not allowed to participate in the unlawful private agendas and vendettas of Councilman Gay.
According to the suit, Silver was asked by Councilman Gay to go on monthly ride-alongs through Ward 4. During these ride-alongs, Silver alleges that Gay identified properties he wanted cited for code violations, even if there were none. Silver claims that Gay told him to "find a way to cite him" and "get what I need done."
The lawsuit does not specify the exact nature of the code violations that Gay allegedly wanted Silver to fabricate. It does, however, list another example of Gay's alleged favoritism, asking Jerry Silver to cite Roderick Rogers, the owner of Rogers Repair Shop, for operating without a license despite the business being closed. Silver also alleges that Gay pointed out properties owned by his friends and instructed Silver to leave those alone.
Silver issued a citation to the Elite at City View apartment complex because a quarter of its units were out of compliance. The Elite at City View apartment complex entered into an agreement stating the old units needed to be updated before leasing newer ones. Gay, allegedly good friends with the complex's head of maintenance, told Elite they didn't need to wait to lease.
Gay states that several businesses and residents filed complaints against Silver for bad behavior, including intimidation and abuse of authority. He wishes Silver well in his future endeavors but states that the city will not allow baseless allegations to overshadow the dedicated work of its staff and the trust of the citizens it serves. Gay claims the lawsuit is "frivolous and unfounded."
The lawsuit demands payment for Silver's lost earnings and "mental anguish." Silver claims he was fired days after a meeting during which Gay expressed a desire to board up properties, to which Silver replied that he couldn't, as per the city code. Silver is currently associated with the police and legal authorities to seek support for his accusation against Roderick Gay.
Rogers had previously filed a lawsuit against the city for wrongful arrest. The current lawsuit adds another layer of controversy to the already turbulent relationship between the city of College Park and its residents. The city has yet to respond officially to the allegations made in the lawsuit.
