LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The First Lady of Louisville, Rachel Greenberg, is named in a new lawsuit questioning her role in Metro Government and how much power she wields in her husband's administration.
Thomas Clay, Samantha Ricketts' attorney, explained the argument is that Rachel "is exercising the function of a supervisor and Metro Government."
"She's given orders, given instructions, given deadlines, scheduling meetings," he said. "And that is what we consider to be a violation of Metro governance ethics."
But Mayor Craig Greenberg has remained steadfast in his support for his wife, saying her "commitment to kids and young adults and improving the quality of education in our schools is amazing."
Clay said Ricketts, a former Metro Government graphic specialist employee, was fired after raising concerns over potential ethics violations by the first lady.
"She had raised her concerns to a supervisor who indicated to her that he had taken it to 'the fourth floor' which is the mayor's office," he said. "The elimination of her position follows shortly after."
In a statement sent to WHAS11 News, the mayor referred to Ricketts as "a disgruntled former employee," adding she "applied for and was offered another position that better matched her career goals at the same salary."
"Well, in my travels through the litigation involving employment law, it's often a tactic for an employer to 'eliminate' a position and then resurrect it in another location or offer, that, and employ another position at the same rate of pay was shrunk responsibilities or different responsibilities, which are unacceptable," Clay said.
WHAS11 News joined the mayor at an event earlier Thursday to ask about the whistleblower lawsuit.
"This is a bunch of recycled and false claims; this has no merit," Craig said. "I also do want to say that I am very proud of my amazing wife, Rachel, I'm very thankful that she is willing to volunteer so much time for our city."
"(The) mayor doesn't respond to the specific allegations in the complaint. And I don't expect he will," Clay said. "But thus far, he has not responded to the specific allegations that have accused him of the things that are contained in that complaint."
Along with seeking a jury trial and monetary damages, Clay said he and Ricketts are looking to bring transparency to the Mayor's Office. "The mayor is supposed to operate his office ethically, and according to what has happened here, he did not do that," he said.
"The city of Louisville elected me to make our city safer, stronger, and healthier," Greenberg said. "And that's what my administration and I are going to be focused on. So we're not going to be distracted by this."
The lawsuit alleged the city violated the Kentucky Whistleblower Act and that Mayor Greenberg previously made false statements regarding his wife's role in response to a separate ethics complaint.
"(The) allegations in the lawsuit include that the First Lady was giving orders to Metro employees; the mayor had an ethics complaint filed against him...he alleged that Rachel Greenberg didn't supervise anybody," Clay said. "That is very likely, according to the sworn complaint, a false statement."
Read the mayor's full statement below:
"The allegations in this case have no legal merit. Sam Ricketts is a disgruntled former employee held over from the prior administration who was seemingly unable to work well with our new administration. Sam Ricketts was not terminated. Her position was eliminated after it was determined Metro Government did not need a full-time graphic specialist in the mayor’s office. Shortly thereafter, Sam Ricketts applied for and was offered another position that better matched her career goals at the same salary. Sam Ricketts never responded to the offer, instead choosing to seek out an undeserved and lucrative payout through this unfounded legal battle."
"Our city is fortunate to have Rachel – a compassionate, loving and kind First Lady who is committed to making an impact by volunteering with schools, children and families throughout Louisville who welcome her with open arms and smiles. Rachel leads by example and neither she, nor I, will be deterred by these hateful, false and recycled allegations that have no purpose other than to cause harm. We’re going to continue to focus on what matters: Making Louisville a safer, stronger and healthier city for everyone."
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