LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Urban League responded to written questions in the lawsuit against former CEO Dr. Kish Cumi Price.
The organization detailed reasons behind Price’s firing in court documents filed on Dec. 11, 2023 but obtained by WHAS11 News on Jan. 9.
They explain Price failed to perform her job duties and lacked communication with staffers at the organization.
Their answers were released months after a Jefferson County Circuit Court judge ruled Price is allowed to continue her lawsuit against her former employer.
According to the documents, the League’s board of directors unanimously voted to terminate Price after she terminated the employment of a key member without input from or notification to the board.
The documents also explained how they said Price created an “unhealthy and hostile” work environment.
They further mention the hiring practices of Price stating she hired individuals who were “unqualified” for positions including staff who previously worked for the organization but were ineligible for rehire due to performance issues.
The Urban League claimed Price was rarely in the office and was often “unavailable”.
In March 2023, a leadership member met with Price sharing their leadership concerns. That same week, the organization said Price invited her husband to address the staff and that he did so “in a threatening manner."
Can't access the above PDF embed? Click here to read the full document.
Three written statements from Price’s attorney Tom Coffey asked the organization to admit if Sadiqa Reynolds was employed under the Urban League while Price was CEO.
Each statement was met with a “deny” from the organization.
In September 2022, WHAS11 News attended a court hearing where Coffey addressed the accusations.
"Places like the Urban League are granted a lot of deference but it comes at a price. You can't fire Dr. Price because she's trying to do the right thing, you can't do that," he said.
WHAS11 News followed up with Coffey on Tuesday for further remarks.
In a statement he said, "The Urban League specifically told Dr. Price it did not terminate her for cause. And then it files interrogatory answers listing causes for firing her. The Urban League has completely contradicted itself and is digging a deeper and deeper hole for itself in its desperate attempt to avoid liability. I welcome the Urban League to continue to make contradictory statements in court."
WHAS11 will continue to follow this case closely.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.