Hudlow Doesn’t Show At Name Clearing Meeting

— Jerry Hudlow, the city’s former chief financial officer, didn’t attend a special City Council meeting Thursday called to give him a chance to clear his name.

Hudlow’s attorney Stephen Wood also didn’t attend.

Hudlow was terminated by Mayor Greg Hines on May 14 for insubordination and poor management techniques relating to subordinate employees.

At A Glance

Lawsuit Status

Jerry Hudlow filed a lawsuit against Rogers and Mayor Greg Hines following his dismissal as the city’s chief financial officer. The lawsuit is pending in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville. No trial date has been set.

Source: Staff Report

Hudlow filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city and Hines in August. One of the claims Hudlow asserted in the lawsuit was he never got the opportunity to clear his name.

“The purpose of this meeting is to give Mr. Hudlow the opportunity to clear his name,” said John Everett, an attorney representing the city and Hines. “We do not believe Mr. Hudlow is entitled to a name clearing hearing now or in the future.

“Had Mr. Hudlow been present at this meeting, we had city employees available for him to question as part of the name clearing hearing.”

A letter was sent to Wood and Hudlow regarding the special meeting. Everett said he was contacted by Wood and told neither planned to attend Thursday’s session or any other that might be scheduled.

Everett entered into evidence a copy of the letter he sent Wood and a published notice stating when and where the hearing would be held.

Asked what purpose the special hearing served, Everett replied, “It depends on who you ask.”

He added the fact the hearing was scheduled might be introduced later as the lawsuit moves through the federal court system.

Christy Comstock, a partner in Everett, Wales & Comstock law firm, was asked if the hearing would stop Hudlow from claiming back wages and other benefits from Thursday forward. She said that question is one for the court to decide.

Hudlow started as the chief financial officer for Lowell on Monday.

Reached by phone Thursday, Hudlow referred all questions to his attorney.

Wood was working in Fayetteville on Thursday and couldn’t be reached for comment, according to a woman who answered the phone in his office.

Hudlow amended in October his original complaint to claim whistleblower status because he sought information from the Arkansas Municipal League regarding an elected official not keeping what he said he thought were required receipts.

Because Hudlow spoke to a Municipal League attorney prior to his dismissal, league attorneys couldn’t represent the city in the lawsuit.

City officials hired Everett to represent the city and Hines.

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