Former Alabama Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sues Governor Kay Ivey
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Kent Davis, the former Alabama Veterans Affairs Commissioner, held a press conference Thursday to announce a lawsuit against Governor Kay Ivey, claiming wrongful termination and other serious allegations. The 75-page lawsuit, presented with his attorney Kenneth Mendelsohn, includes accusations of invasion of privacy and defamation against the Governor.
Davis was ousted by Ivey, who disregarded the Veterans Affairs Board’s decision to retain him, a move Davis argues was illegal as only the Board held that dismissal authority prior to the recent enactment of law SB 67, which now empowers the Governor to appoint or terminate the VA Commissioner at will.
“I think I should still be the commissioner of veteran’s affairs,” Davis stated. If reinstatement proves unfeasible, he hinted at pursuing a settlement, expressing disappointment over the abrupt loss of his position just 16 months shy of qualifying for state retirement.
Davis contends his dismissal was primarily retaliation for filing an ethics complaint against Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, an action he felt legally compelled to take. “Is that the point we’ve come to, where following the law leads to punishment?” he questioned, highlighting the moral implications of his case.
Mendelsohn plans to depose Governor Ivey as part of the legal process. In a brief response, Ivey’s office expressed confidence that her actions would withstand judicial scrutiny, asserting the necessity of her decision.
The case raises significant questions about the balance of power within state governance and the repercussions for officials who report ethical violations. As this legal battle unfolds, it may redefine the landscape of state employment rights and accountability in Alabama.
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