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Former Jefferson police chief defends right to sue city
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Attorneys for the city of Jefferson argued to the Georgia Supreme Court Tuesday that a judge should not have allowed a lawsuit filed by fired Police Chief Darren Glenn to go forward.

Glenn was fired in 2006 amid allegations that he was improperly using computers to check motor vehicle records. He requested but was denied a personnel hearing on the termination, prompting him to sue the city.

Glenn is seeking damages for what he says are damages to his reputation, mental anguish, lost wages and violation of his due process.

A superior court judge denied a motion by the city to issue a judgment in the city’s favor, allowing Glenn’s lawsuit to go forward.

Attorneys for the city argued to the high court Tuesday that Glenn had a way of getting a personnel hearing, which he failed to pursue.

The former chief should have asked a local judge to compel the city to provide him with a hearing, according to attorneys for the city.

City attorneys also claim that Glenn failed to allege actual malice by officials, making them immune from any lawsuit.

Glenn’s attorney, former Georgia Attorney General Mike Bowers, argued that the superior court ruled correctly in denying the city’s motion.

Bowers said his client was not required to ask a court to order a personnel hearing before filing suit.

Glenn is seeking compensation for the damage he claims city officials did by disseminating “false and stigmatizing statements” after he was fired, and for refusing to give him a chance to clear his name, Bowers wrote in court briefs.

Should the high court side with Glenn and the lower court decision, the lawsuit against the city will continue.