Shreveport City Councilman Gary Brooks Is Taking Legal Action
According to reports, Shreveport City Councilman Gary Brooks has retained legal counsel and stated he intends to pursue legal action against former Clerk of Council Shanerika Flemings and other parties who he states made statements against him that were “slanderous and defamatory.”
In a statement published by KSLA Brooks said, “While I realize that I hold a public office and am, thus, subject to criticism, it is imperative that I ensure that my legal rights are protected and that my constituency understands that the recent statements made about me are false and defamatory. As such, I have retained counsel to insure and protect my rights, including the prosecution of anyone who has made or continues to make knowingly false statements in reckless disregard for the truth and my legal rights. Simply put, my conduct has, at all times, been in accord and compliance with the equal employment laws of the City of Shreveport. Any allegation to the contrary is blatantly false and will not be tolerated. I will not be silent in the face of these false allegations.”
The allegations follow the termination of Flemings by the City Council on Sep. 15th. During that meeting, prior to the vote Flemings unleashed a lengthy tirade laden with serious accusations against Brooks and Councilwoman Ursula Bowman.
She claimed in part:
“Around the time that I was confirmed I attended a dinner with councilwoman Bowman allowed Councilman Brooks to say the word “Ni**er.”
“Brooks had told me that ‘Black women like him, Black women like him’ and other white men can't get away with the same things that he could with black women.”
“Councilman Brooks texts me past work hours asking me if I was home or getting out tonight”
“ I also didn't accept Councilwoman Bowman's invitation when she asked me to go to Dallas with her and Councilman Brooks stating she was going to make him take us shopping.”
Attorney Allison Jones, representing Brooks told KSLA,
“Ms. Flemings may be disgruntled about the termination of her employment by the City Council, however her personal unhappiness does not give her or any other person the right to spread knowingly false, reckless and malicious lies regarding Councilman Brooks.
In fact, my consideration of the forensic information shows that prior to her employment as Clerk of the City Council, Ms. Flemings was the one who initiated a text dialogue with Councilman Brooks referencing steaks at a restaurant known as The Cub. Councilman Brooks responded with the hours and dates that The Cub was open. Nothing in that dialogue or my review indicates that Councilman Brooks engaged in unwelcome or inappropriate conduct, sexual or otherwise. It is further puzzling to me that Ms. Flemings, herself an attorney, seemingly familiar with employment laws, would wait until the termination of her employment to state otherwise. Her own texts and her “complaint” timing undermine her credibility and strongly suggest that she has made knowingly false statements in reckless disregard for the truth.
Accordingly, I, on behalf of Councilman Brooks, have sent a letter to each person identified as making false statements demanding that such conduct cease and desist immediately. I, on behalf of Councilman Brooks, have further demanded that each person who has made slanderous and defamatory statements regarding Councilman Brooks preserve their own electronic communications, as based upon my review I am convinced that such communications will only act to further support Councilman Brooks claims. It is Councilman Brooks sincere hope that this improper conduct will stop such that he can continue to focus on the needs of his constituency and serve the needs of the City of Shreveport.”