Posted on 05/10/25
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - May 10, 2025 - Two former Baltimore City employees are suing Mayor Brandon Scott over accusations of wrongful termination. Allegedly let go without warning or an explanation, the lawsuit claims their abrupt firings were politically motivated, not performance based.
Both worked for the city for over a decade. Liam Davis, a legislative affairs manager for the Department of Transportation, and Margo Settles, a division chief within the Department of Human Resources. Led by a passion for public service, they ran, and ultimately, lost bids for two Baltimore City Council seats last year. Then, less than two months later, they lost their jobs as well.
The lawsuit accuses Mayor Scott of ordering their terminations due to loose ties with former Mayor Shelia Dixon’s campaign. Although neither outwardly endorsed her, both received financial donations from former Councilman Eric Costello, a vocal supporter of Dixon’s attempt to unseat Scott. Court documents claim on the heels of the election they were abruptly fired without notice or reason. The documents go on to say, despite excellent work performance reviews, Davis was simply told “his services were no longer needed” and Settles was told her “employment with the city of Baltimore is at will.”
At the time, Davis claims he was in line for a promotion, while Settles held the city’s Supervisor of the Year award. A picture from the award ceremony shows Settles accepting the honor alongside Mayor Scott, just seven months before being let go. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims Settles’ supervisor cried during her termination meeting, saying it was the “the worst day of his professional career.”
“There's no legitimate reason to have terminated Mrs. Settles or Mr. Davis. They were highly respected by their peers and their supervisors,” said their attorney, Kaitlin Leary.
Leary argues the city violated their first amendment rights. Which she says, protects personal political beliefs and prohibits government officials from terminating public employees solely for supporting political opponents.
“Margo Settles and Liam Davis are looking for justice. They are looking to hold the mayor and the city accountable for violating their constitutional rights,” said Leary.
Citing both personal and professional harm, Davis and Settles are seeking more than $75,000 in compensation.
“It's been incredibly difficult for both Mrs. Settles and Mr. Davis to find new permanent employment for which they are qualified because of the press surrounding their terminations,” says Leary, “And in Mr. Davis' case, he even had a job lined up with a private consulting firm that was blocked by the city who does business with that firm, and essentially said that they did not want this firm to hire Mr. Davis.”
When asked to respond to the lawsuit and comment on why they were fired, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office sent the following statement:
We do not comment on pending legal issues and will not until those proceedings are complete.
David and Settles are requesting a jury trial. Their attorneys’ say it could take up to a year before the case goes to court.