College Park, Ga. – Former Police Chief Connie Rogers filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, alleging that city officials discriminated against her on the basis of her sexual orientation and retaliated after she reported possible misuse of public money.
Allegations of bias and retaliation
Rogers, who resigned in Dec. 2025, says she was subjected to “low‑level sexist bias” and political interference. The complaint cites violations of the Equal Protection Clause, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Georgia Whistleblower Act. Rogers also requests a jury trial.
Financial concerns that sparked the dispute
The lawsuit references a nearly $500,000 payment made by the Business and Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) to Keller Williams. City officials claim the payment lacked proper approval and was only discovered months later. Rogers alleges she warned city manager Dr. Emanuel Adediran and his successor, Lindell Miller, about the irregularity.
Additional allegations include the purchase of two police‑department golf carts for under $10,000, allegedly kept below the threshold that would have required Rogers’ approval. Rogers contends the purchases were directed by Councilman Joe Carn to avoid her oversight.
Political entanglements
The complaint also mentions Councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie, alleging that Rogers was asked to issue arrest warrants against political opponents and that McKenzie sought Rogers’ termination because Rogers is married to another woman. McKenzie denies the claims, stating, “Reporting a concern to law enforcement is not the same as directing police to arrest someone or demanding an unlawful warrant.” She added, “I have never asked anyone to misuse police authority for political purposes.”
Attorney Artur Davis, who represents both Rogers and current Police Chief Sharis McCrary (who filed her own discrimination suit), said via email, “Like so many city officials in College Park, Connie Rogers was a victim of political interference and low‑level sexist bias. And as usual, given a choice of the right way and wrong way to end an employment relationship, city officials picked the wrong way.”
Council actions and ongoing litigation
During an Oct. 19 city‑council meeting, Councilman Roderick Gay moved to remove former BIDA chair Tracy Wyatt from the board. Council members Tracie Arnold and Joe Carn left the meeting, preventing a quorum and a vote. The lawsuit alleges that Wyatt and Arnold were romantically involved, a claim Arnold’s attorney did not address before the publication deadline.
Arnold, Carn and the city of College Park are also named in a separate lawsuit filed Oct. 15 in Fulton County Superior Court by the former owners of Chelsea Gardens Apartments, who allege the city used code‑enforcement powers to financially cripple them and facilitate a favored redevelopment.
City response
City attorney Winston Denmark did not return a request for comment, and a phone call and text to Arnold’s attorney went unanswered. The city has said the Keller Williams payment was not properly approved but has not provided further detail.
The lawsuit adds that Rogers believes Councilwoman McKenzie wanted her terminated because Rogers is married to another woman, a claim McKenzie calls false. “Like any citizen, I have the right to report conduct that I believe may constitute harassment or a threat to my safety,” McKenzie said.
What’s next?
Rogers’ complaint seeks a jury trial and highlights broader concerns about political interference, alleged bias, and fiscal oversight in College Park. The case adds to a series of recent lawsuits involving city officials and may prompt further scrutiny of municipal governance in the city.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
