Taft City Councilman Cliff Thompson has filed a $500,000 claim against the City of Taft claiming defamation of character and failure to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request.
Thompson has directed his complaint against City Manager Bob Gorson, Taft City Clerk Louise Hudgens and Human Resource Manager Denise Hoffman saying the staff had caused him damages.
Thompson, who has been accused by staff of creating a hostile work environment at City Hall mailed the complaint by registered mail. The registered letter was received by Hudgens who told the Independent that she, Gorson and Hoffman were named in the complaint.
Hoffman said that the claim will be forwarded to the city's risk management agency, and that the agency would make a recommendation to the city council on what actions the city should take to resolve the claim.
Thompson was contacted and asked about the complaint, but decline to make a comment.