Loyd Lenard, 57, a former city cemetery operator, was fired April 11 and Donnie Russell, 51, a former park operator was fired June 20 for violating city policy. Former city employee Tommy Ray Sanchez pleaded guilty in June to two misdemeanor charges of soliciting an act of lewdness.
District Attorney John Wampler confirmed that there have been allegations concerning several other city employees.
Lenard said he believes he was fired so the city could renew its contract with the DOC, but he also feels that discrimination played a part.
"The city's contract with the state was up," Lenard said, "so they fired three people to get their contract renewed. They fired me, a Mexican and a white guy at the same time. I won the right to sue from Equal Employment Opprotunity Commission."
He said he has not yet filed a lawsuit because of the costs involved.
"The girls know all they have to say to the city is, 'he looked at me funny or he touched me' and the city goes along with it," Lenard explained. "If you don't buy them a pop or cigarettes, they go to the city, and the city goes along with it. We complained to the city, and they ignored it totally."
Lenard said he isn't the only one who was the subject of such claims by female inmates, saying that at least one individual in the city adminstration has also been accused of misconduct.
He said that on numerous occasions he approached his employers about incidents, but said his concerns were ignored.
"They don't have proof or evidence of anything, just allegations," he said. "They wanted to fire me."
Lenard has not been charged, but Wampler said his office's investigation is ongoing.
Police Chief Mike Patterson said the police investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct by city employees is nearly complete, with one report set to go to the DA's office on Monday.
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