Hopewell officials expect to be served with $6.8 million lawsuit by end of week

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) -- The city of Hopewell's attorney told 8News that he is expecting to be served with fired city manager Concetta Manker's $6.8 million racial discrimination lawsuit by the end of the week.

City attorney Anthony Bessette said that process has yet to be served. However, once Hopewell receives service, the city will respond "in due course and vigorously defend the lawsuit."

Manker's lawsuit alleges that the vote that terminated her employment as city manager was not only an act of racism, but blatantly illegal under procedural rules in Hopewell.

Manker was the first African American woman to hold this position in the city. The 4-3 vote to terminate her took place on May 1. An identical vote also terminated then-city clerk Brittani Williams, who is also Black.

Manker's suit noted that these votes were along racial lines, with "the four white councilors voting 'yes' [and] the three Black councilors voting 'no.'"

In addition to the city, the four other defendants are Hopewell Mayor Johnny Partin, Vice-Mayor Rita Joyner and Councilors Ronnie Ellis and Susan Daye -- the four white councilmembers who voted for her termination.

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All are being accused of racial discrimination and denying Manker proper due process.

The lawsuit asks for $6.8 million in damages, as well as a declaratory judgment from the court that her termination was null and void, and that Ellis should not have participated in the vote.

The suit also alleges Joyner violated Manker's liberty interests and defamed her, adding that Joyner falsely stated Manker was incompetent at her job to a constituent.

Exhibits in the suit allege Joyner told another colleague that Manker did not "look like" a city manager, and that she did not want "someone like her" in the role.

The suit said those comments were interpreted by the colleague as race-based and discriminatory.

Manker's attorney told 8News they will have no comment on the suit for the foreseeable future and that they will speak through the legal process.

8News also reached out to Partin, who said he cannot speak on the case as it is in litigation.