Richmond’s former DPU director files lawsuit against city, mayor, former interim CAO

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- April Bingham, the former director of Richmond’s Department of Utilities (DPU), is suing the city of Richmond, Mayor Danny Avula and former interim CAO Sabrina Joy-Hogg, according to online court records.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch first reported on the lawsuit on Tuesday, Jan. 13, citing wrongful termination after the January 2025 water crisis.

According to online court records, Bingham filed a lawsuit against the city, Avula and Joy-Hogg on Monday, Jan. 12.

Bingham was fired from her position after she rescinded her resignation -- which comes after city officials previously described the resignation — submitted just after the January water crisis came to an end — as “amicable.”

DPU was under significant scrutiny following the water crisis that rocked the Richmond area from Jan. 6 to Jan. 11.

Joy-Hogg resigned from the interim chief administrative officer role back in May 2025 after less than five months in the position.