City of Columbia, S.C. police chief Randy Scott – who is already facing a high-visibility lawsuit filed by a former investigator – is a defendant in two separate suits filed by city police officers. Also named in the lawsuits? Ruben Santiago, the officer tapped as Scott’s interim replacement.
FITS has obtained copies of the lawsuits – which allege discrimination, wrongful termination and harassment in the case of two Columbia police officers, both of whom appear to have been falsely accused of wrongdoing.
In one lawsuit, Scott’s interim replacement – acting chief Ruben Santiago – is accused of targeting officer Andre Williams for “double-dipping” as a funeral procession escort.
“It’s a privilege that I can arbitrarily give or take away and I don’t have to provide a reason,” Santiago is said to have told Williams of his funeral escort activities.
The lawsuit also accuses Santiago of destroying a report which exonerated Williams for his activities – which the pleading claims are “common permissive practice” for city cops.
Williams’ lawsuit also alleges “continuous” harassement and the “capricious” denial of promotions and privileges.
In the other complaint, Williams’ wife Shannon alleges she was similarly harassed and passed over for promotion despite exemplary evaluations – including one in which she was ranked as the highest-scoring woman in the department.
City officials were not immediately available for comment regarding the lawsuits.
Scott is currently on an indefinite leave of absence due to undisclosed offenses. Sources tell FITS this leave is about to become permanent, however – and Scott has been accused of some pretty galling behavior.
In addition to these lawsuits, Scott’s department is also being sued by the investigator he fired in the wake of a colossally botched disappearance-turned-suicide last year.
ANDRE J. WILLIAMS v. CITY OF COLUMBIA, et. al. (.pdf)
SHANNON WILLIAMS v. CITY OF COLUMBIA, et. al. (.pdf)
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34 comments
When do Shaniqua, LaShonda & Lemongelo file their suits?
When do Shaniqua, LaShonda & Lemongelo file their suits?
After reading the pdf’s there should be little doubt why City of Columbia Blue Donuts can’t do anything to reduce or even curb crime in the City
They are too busy fucking over each other
After reading the pdf’s there should be little doubt why City of Columbia Blue Donuts can’t do anything to reduce or even curb crime in the City
They are too busy fucking over each other
Never trust a man his age that wears braces.
Spot on!
Never trust a man his age that wears braces.
Spot on!
The complaint probably doesn’t even cover the tip of the ice berg. Officer Andre Williams (and others) have been under routine surveillance by Wiser and others in the department quite a bit. In their never ending quest to destroy those who “The Clique” deems to be “Enemies Of The Clique”, they seek to find one iota of wrong in anything an officer does so they can suspend, fire, or otherwise harass him or her.
Getting rid of Scott is a good start, but it won’t accomplish much unless and until the rest of the Third Floor snake pit is cleaned out, with all the snakes Scott brought along, tossed out the door.
Nope it wont. The same man who is in charge is the same that ws kissing his ass a week ago! Now i never had a problem with andre but shannon needed to be fired. She was a nasty person.
I don’t know anyone there or what the internal situation is, but if you are correct then I hope you get your wish.
edit
Hi Shifty! Thank You! What is funny, is that a former City Manager and current councilwoman (Plaugh) was fired from her job as City Manager, ostensibly because she was discovered to have a “destroy” list, naming people in city government who she wanted to get rid of.
Scott’s and his crew have been out to destroy several good employees, and have either done that or run them off into early retirement, but no punishment seems to be awaiting them for acting, rather than just writing a list.
The complaint probably doesn’t even cover the tip of the ice berg. Officer Andre Williams (and others) have been under routine surveillance by Wiser and others in the department quite a bit. In their never ending quest to destroy those who “The Clique” deems to be “Enemies Of The Clique”, they seek to find one iota of wrong in anything an officer does so they can suspend, fire, or otherwise harass him or her.
Getting rid of Scott is a good start, but it won’t accomplish much unless and until the rest of the Third Floor snake pit is cleaned out, with all the snakes Scott brought along, tossed out the door.
Nope it wont. The same man who is in charge is the same that ws kissing his ass a week ago! Now i never had a problem with andre but shannon needed to be fired. She was a nasty person.
I don’t know anyone there or what the internal situation is, but if you are correct then I hope you get your wish.
edit
Hi Shifty! Thank You! What is funny, is that a former City Manager and current councilwoman (Plaugh) was fired from her job as City Manager, ostensibly because she was discovered to have a “destroy” list, naming people in city government who she wanted to get rid of.
Scott’s and his crew have been out to destroy several good employees, and have either done that or run them off into early retirement, but no punishment seems to be awaiting them for acting, rather than just writing a list.
Funny how Shannon Williams deserved to be fired. She was a bitch plain and simple. She hated white cops and tried to make these cops change their statements to match the citizens complaint just so she could punish them. Never had an issue with andre. Shannon is a low life.
Funny how Shannon Williams deserved to be fired. She was a bitch plain and simple. She hated white cops and tried to make these cops change their statements to match the citizens complaint just so she could punish them. Never had an issue with andre. Shannon is a low life.
Lets try again… Shannon Williams is lying. She deserved to be fired by making officers change statements. Shes suing the officer because shes worthless.
Lets try again… Shannon Williams is lying. She deserved to be fired by making officers change statements. Shes suing the officer because shes worthless.
Then they go bring on LCSO’s problem child and all his choice behaviors as their community officer. I guess birds of a feather?
And who might that be and what were those “choice behaviors?”
Then they go bring on LCSO’s problem child and all his choice behaviors as their community officer. I guess birds of a feather?
And who might that be and what were those “choice behaviors?”
Let’s not forget who “hand picked” this pocket sized public servant.
Let’s not forget who “hand picked” this pocket sized public servant.
Very relevant story. Documents posted, excellent. More. Is police chief appointed by mayor or elected? If appointed, why isn’t Mayor doing job as boss of Chief…Simple incompetence, or is mayor getting something?
Both!
Very relevant story. Documents posted, excellent. More. Is police chief appointed by mayor or elected? If appointed, why isn’t Mayor doing job as boss of Chief…Simple incompetence, or is mayor getting something?
Both!
hey, on the bright side this means that the curious tale of benji probably wont carry on into the gov’s race. he has stood by CPD his entire time, sheheen and eventually haley would absolutly destroy him with all of the scandals surrounding his administration….although republicans probably realize that and if they had a lick of sense would be donating copiously to his election bid, just to make sheheen focus on the primary instead of haley
hey, on the bright side this means that the curious tale of benji probably wont carry on into the gov’s race. he has stood by CPD his entire time, sheheen and eventually haley would absolutly destroy him with all of the scandals surrounding his administration….although republicans probably realize that and if they had a lick of sense would be donating copiously to his election bid, just to make sheheen focus on the primary instead of haley