Long's suspension
No word on why City Attorney was suspended
More than a month has passed since Odessa City Attorney Larry Long returned to work after a monthlong suspension without pay, and city officials still haven’t specifically said why he was suspended.
Odessa City Manager Richard Morton said Long returned to work Nov. 5 after completing his 30 day suspension and 10 hours of sensitivity counseling. Long began his suspension Oct. 5.
Morton declined further comment on the incident that led to Long’s suspension, saying, “we’ll wait for the attorney general’s ruling on it.”
The Odessa American has asked for a copy of Long’s personnel file, including commendations and reprimands, under the Freedom of Information Act.
Cal Hendrick, the city’s outside attorney, has asked for an attorney general’s opinion on whether that personnel file has to be released. The AG has traditionally required the release of those documents. However, the AG hadn’t issued an opinion as of Monday.
“The city respects and understands the public’s right to know, but there’s also an individual right to privacy,” Hendrick said, adding that Long’s suspension is a personnel matter and is protected from being revealed by state law.
The city has been billed $10,000 by Employment Practices Solutions, a firm that investigates employment claims. There was no written report filed in that investigation.
Morton said the City Council requested a verbal report in the regards to the Long case.
The OA also filed a request under open records law to obtain a copy of any report Employment Practices Solutions had filed with the city. The OA also asked for any notes the investigator took while looking into the case.
On behalf of the city, Hendrick again asked for an attorney general’s ruling on what has to be released in regard to the investigation by Employment Practices Solutions.
City councilmen and Mayor Larry Melton have repeatedly declined to comment in any regard to the Long case, often citing fear of litigation.
Long declined any comment Monday.
>> The City of Odessa announced Oct. 4 that City Attorney Larry Long had been suspended 30 days.
>> City officials have been mum about the unpaid suspension since that time.
>> Mayor Larry Melton issued a statement for the council, indicating another city employee had “filed a complaint against Long” under section 6.102 of the city’s Personnel Policies and Procedures. That section, titled harassment and/or discrimination specifically says the city “prohibits discrimination and/or harassment that is sexual, racial or religious in nature or is related to anyone’s gender, national origin, age or disability.”
