OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — Former county administrator John Gibbs is suing the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and Chairman of the Board Joe Moss.
The lawsuit alleges Gibbs was terminated without cause, retaliated against by the board and defamed by Chairman Moss.
Gibbs was terminated from his role as the county administrator in February after a vote by the board.
The lawsuit filed by Gibbs claims that the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners and Chairman Moss were in violation of First Amendment Retaliation, Michigan's Whistleblower Protection Act, and Michigan's statutory defamation law.
The allegations stem from Gibbs' termination and interactions with the board. The lawsuit also points out possible defamation of Gibbs when Chairman Moss posted a letter of complaints against Gibbs on Facebook page about a week before Gibbs was removed as administrator.
Gibbs is seeking a severance payment and monetary damages consistent with his employment agreement and possible lost wages.
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