Hugley’s Attorney Lays out Charges of Racial Discrimination in Firing by Columbus City Council

City’s first Black city manager claims retaliation and bias after decades of public service

Isaiah Hugley, the first African American to serve as City Manager of Columbus, is scheduled to file a Charge of Discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging his May 2025 termination was the result of unlawful racial bias and retaliation by the Columbus City Council. The file date is set for July 14 unless the city provides a meaningful proposal.

Hugley, 67, began his career with the city in 1984 and was elevated to Transit Director in 1988—the first Black department head in city history. After serving seven years as Deputy City Manager, he was appointed City Manager in 2005 and led the consolidated government for more than two decades. During that time, Columbus was repeatedly recognized for its strong fiscal stewardship, including being ranked among WalletHub’s Top 20 Best-Run Cities in the nation in consecutive years.

However, on May 27, 2025—just seven months before his publicly announced retirement—Hugley was abruptly fired following an unscheduled motion introduced by Councilwoman Charmaine Crabb. The termination was supported by six other councilmembers: Byron Hickey, Joanne Cogle, Glenn Davis, John Anker, Toyia Tucker, and Garrett Davis.

The termination came less than two weeks after public disclosure of a 118-page report from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, which featured Councilwoman Crabb’s inflammatory and racially charged remarks. In statements to investigators, Crabb referred to Hugley and Black civic leaders as “little mafiosos” who “dabble in organized crime,” accusing them of “mafia-type behavior” for encouraging participation in city council meetings and belonging to historically Black fraternities and sororities.

“These comments are not only offensive—they expose a racially motivated effort to remove Mr. Hugley,” said Scott R. Grubman the attorney representing Isaiah Hugley. “Her motion to fire him was not only inappropriate—it was discriminatory.”

Despite allegations of “operational failures” and “law enforcement scrutiny” cited in Hugley’s termination letter, independent investigations found no wrongdoing. A December 2023 audit report by Internal Auditor Donna McGinnis alleged that $45 million in City funds was unaccounted for. However, a forensic review by Troutman Pepper LLP and Acuitas, Inc. concluded that there was “no evidence” to support that claim. Additionally, the City’s external auditors, Mauldin & Jenkins, issued a clean audit opinion for fiscal year 2024.

Hugley claims the audit and subsequent investigations were retaliatory, initiated after he publicly supported former Police Chief Freddie Blackmon, who was pressured to resign in April 2023. Blackmon, also Black, later received a $400,000 settlement from the city in response to allegations of racial discrimination.

In what Hugley’s legal team describes as another pretext for retaliation, councilmembers raised concerns over a February 2022 ARP (American Rescue Plan) grant awarded to his wife’s small business. However, records confirm the grant was reviewed and approved through multiple layers of independent oversight—including the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the ARP Program Manager, and the City Finance Director. Acting on legal advice, Hugley recused himself from final approval.

Despite this, council members used the grant as another justification for his removal. In a text message exchange minutes after the termination vote, Councilwoman Toyia Tucker messaged Sheriff Greg Countryman—whose office conducted the controversial investigation—asking, “Should we have allowed him to stay once we came out of executive session?” She followed up with, “I actually feel bad. I thought I would be ok.”

The unusual communication raised eyebrows, given that the Sheriff’s Office holds no administrative authority over city personnel decisions. According to the Sheriff’s outside counsel, Countryman was not involved in any aspect of Hugley’s employment or termination.

In addition to public outcry from city residents and clergy, Hugley’s termination was criticized by Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson.

“I told him thank you for being such a conscientious servant of this community for 40-plus years,” Henderson said. “In my mind, he did a great job.”

Hugley’s complaint will soon be under federal review. Supporters say his experience highlights the persistence of racial bias in local government and the risks faced by Black public officials who speak out against injustice.