The city of Memphis did not fire its public records coordinator for filing a records request but for failing to adhere to the "policies and procedures" of the legal division, Chief Administrative Officer George Little said Monday.
"There was no retaliation," Little said during an afternoon briefing at City Hall. "There is a history that precedes the request."
On Friday, City Atty. Herman Morris fired Bridgett Handy-Clay hours after she filed an open-records request for the payroll, leave and personnel files of every employee in the City Attorney's Office.
Little said Handy-Clay recently had an encounter with her supervisor, Cathy Porter, before she filed her open-records request and was ultimately dismissed.
"I gather there may have been some conflicts there," said Little.
When reached by phone Monday afternoon, Handy-Clay said she isn't sure how she could have violated any policies of the legal division.
"There are no policies and procedures that govern that City Attorney's Office," she said. "We'll see. What did I do? I'm sure my attorney will be able to comment."
Last week, Handy-Clay said her request involved "nepotism and cronyism."
Little said there may be employees related to each other in the legal division but their performances do not appear to be a problem.
"At the end of the day what we want is performance, regardless of family background," said Little.
Little said the city would fulfill Handy-Clay's open-records request. Morris met with staff members Monday morning to tell them that detailed work information would be provided to Handy-Clay and could be made public.
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