Lexington, Ky. – Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins is accused of using a fake legal threat email, according to a law firm. The email, allegedly printed by Liggins, claimed to be from the law firm Kaplan, Johnson Abate and Bird, and was slipped under the office doors of a Kentucky Representative and a FCPS employee.

Investigation and Response

The email, dated May 19, stated that the law firm had begun an extensive review and preservation of evidence related to defamatory statements made about Liggins. However, the law firm has since reported that the email was not from them and that they had never worked with Liggins.

Rep. Adrielle Camuel, a FCPS administrative assistant and state representative, reported the email to the district on June 5. Five days later, the FCPS School Board unanimously voted to place Liggins on paid administrative leave, electing Dr. Bill Bradford to step in as interim superintendent.

Liggins has been with the school district since June 2021, when he was appointed after a five-month search on a four-year contract with a base pay salary of $275,000. In January 2025, Liggins was appointed by the board for another four-year contract, extending his tenure through summer 2029.

Reaction and Ongoing Situation

Kentucky educator labor union 120 United-AFT released a public statement regarding the ongoing situation, stating that Camuel was a member of the union. The union expressed disgust at how Camuel was treated by district administration and called for the resignation of Board Chair Murphy and Vice Chair Green.

ABC 36 News has contacted Camuel’s attorney, Hannah Wilson, Liggins’ attorney, C. Ed Massey, and Kaplan, Johnson Abate and Bird for comment or further information. This is an ongoing story, and ABC 36 News will provide more information as it becomes available.

Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.