New Cordele Commission Member Requests Lawsuit Details Against City

A newly elected member of the Cordele Commission, Roland McCarthy, has formally requested a list of lawsuits filed against the City of Cordele. This request follows an open records inquiry made by the Cordele Dispatch on January 14, 2026, aimed at shedding light on the ongoing legal challenges facing the municipality.

The list includes significant settlements, highlighting the financial implications for the city. Among these, a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination filed by McCarthy was settled for $325,000. He claimed a breach of contract related to his employment. This case underscores the city’s need to address concerns regarding discrimination within its ranks.

Another notable case involved Matoshia Spears, who filed an ante litem notice on July 22, 2022, after reportedly tripping over an uncovered sewer drain. The city’s insurance carrier settled this claim for $10,000. Similarly, Patricia Rivers filed an ante litem notice on February 27, 2023, seeking $250,000 for injuries sustained due to the city’s alleged failure to maintain the road, gutter, and sidewalk at 102 6th Street South.

The Cordele Dispatch previously reported on budget meetings where these incidents were mentioned, but the details of the lawsuits were not extensively covered. When questioned about the notice from Rivers, then Chair Joshua Deriso mentioned that he had received it but believed it was properly forwarded to the City Manager and the City Attorney. However, the summons never reached the attorney, resulting in a default judgment against the city. The claim was later settled for $150,000, which the insurance company declined to cover.

In another case, Jeremy Taylor filed a charge of discrimination on May 16, 2022, after he was not selected for the position of police chief. Taylor alleged that the Chair directed the City Manager to promote Jalon Heard instead. His lawsuit cites violations of 42 U.S.C. sections 1981 through 1983, along with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. As of now, this matter remains unresolved despite attempts by both parties to reach a settlement.

Additionally, on February 23, 2023, attorney Ron Michael served the city with two ante litem notices. One accused the Chair of exposing him to public ridicule, while the other claimed the Chair made statements regarding illegal funding for a D.U.I. school. The list indicates that a release of all claims in the amount of $25,000 was executed on April 15, 2025, leading to a Dismissal With Prejudice filed on April 16, 2025.

As these cases highlight, the legal challenges facing the City of Cordele bring to light issues of governance and accountability. The present commission will need to navigate these lawsuits carefully to mitigate financial risks and address the concerns of its constituents effectively.