Richmond’s former DPU director files lawsuit against city, mayor, 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 interim CAO Joy Hogg Sabrina, 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 Sabrina 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Bingham was fired from her position after she rescinded her resignation -- which comes after city officials previously described the resignation — submitted just after the January water crisis came to an end — as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 water crisis that rocked the Richmond area from Jan. 6 to Jan. 11.