The City of York denies that the decision to fire Redevelopment Authority director Blanda Nace at the beginning of the year violated his rights.
City attorneys filed a response Sept. 10 to Nace’s federal civil suit, which alleges that Mayor Sandie Walker retaliated against him and another former employee for voicing concerns that her brother put the city at risk of a conflict-of-interest with federal grant money.
“The actions of the City of York were appropriate under the circumstances and based upon a reasonably good-faith belief that they were justified under the law,” the response stated as it laid out a list of 35 defenses.
Nace’s dismissal was based on “non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory reasons, which were not pretextual,” another point of defense stated.
Nace seeks compensation for lost wages and benefits, as well as damages and attorney fees, as he sues the city on counts of retaliation that violated free-speech rights, violating the state whistleblower law and wrongful termination.
The retaliation count cites a federal civil rights law that allows for suing government officials who violate rights while acting “under color of law.”
Nace is also suing Mayor Walker’s brother, Michael Walker, as a defendant on a count of tortious interference with contractual relations, alleging that he used his family influence to have Nace fired.
Walker denied having any involvement in Nace’s dismissal when he spoke to the York Daily Record about the lawsuit in June. Court...
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