CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Attorneys who represent the Board of the Senior Citizens Center have released statements in response to comments made last night at the Clarksville City Council meeting, including allegations of sexual harassment.

During the meeting, Councilman Brian Zacharias shared details of a letter he obtained from one of the lawyers representing the nonprofit. The letter stated that the Senior Board violated the Tennessee Open Meetings law, as well as their own bylaws, in the firing of center’s executive director.

The attorneys, John Crow II and Kyle Shannon, said in statements to Clarksville Now that the letter was addressed to a third party accounting firm in response to an inquiry from the firm regarding former Executive Director Rita Allsop’s employment status.

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“The letter expressed the legal opinion of counsel for the center that the (senior) board’s vote to terminate Ms. Allsop was not legally valid because the vote was taken during a closed session. Under the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, votes must be taken during an open public meeting. Accordingly, it is the legal opinion of counsel that the vote taken in closed session is void and without legal effect,” the statement said.

Under Tennessee state law, the only exception to the Sunshine Law (TCA 8-440101-201) is for a briefing on “present and pending litigation” or litigation that is likely to be filed, in which the body has been or will be named. The body’s attorney can provide a briefing, and members can ask informative questions. No deliberation is allowed – including on the crafting of motions – and no voting is allowed. The body must reconvene in public to deliberate on its actions or to vote. Violations could nullify actions taken by the board resulting from that meeting.

The attorneys also said to be clear, at no time did counsel for the center communicate with any member of the City Council regarding this matter. “In fact, the city attorney has specifically instructed counsel for the center not to communicate directly with members of the City Council regarding matters involving the center,” said the statement, “despite the fact that no litigation is currently pending between the city and the center. While we believe we can provide valuable perspective on the issues the City Council is addressing regarding the center, we honored the City Attorney’s request.”

Attorneys address sexual harassment allegations

In a separate statement, the attorneys addressed allegations of sexual harassment at the senior center that have surfaced in recent weeks.

When an amendment was first introduced to finance the nonprofit that is the Ajax Turner Senior Center for FY 2026-27, Mayor Joe Pitts spoke to some of the additional concerns he had with the proposal, including reports of sexual harassment, as well as accounting irregularities.

At Monday’s council meeting, Councilwoman Keri Lovato said she had received several emails in the last week, which included an additional claim of sexual harassment at the center.

Lawsuit filed, looking to ‘correct several factual inaccuracies’

In their statement, the attorneys representing the center said they’re aware of a recently filed lawsuit by a former employee of the center.

“Because litigation is now pending, the center will respond through the judicial process,” the statement said. “We do, however, believe it is important to correct several factual inaccuracies that have been repeated publicly. First, the allegations do not involve sexual harassment by an employee of the center. The complaint alleges inappropriate conduct by patrons of the center.

“Second, the center took those allegations seriously. When complaints regarding patron conduct were brought to management’s attention, corrective action was taken, including suspending one of the patrons from the center. Third, the former employee previously presented these allegations to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). After reviewing the matter, the EEOC elected not to take action on behalf of the former employee.”

The statement said the former employee thereafter exercised her statutory right to file the lawsuit, and the center intends to “vigorously defend” the allegations through the judicial process.

“Out of respect for the pending litigation, the Center will not comment further on the specific allegations. We remain committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for our employees, volunteers, and patrons.”

Clarksville Now has reached out to Senior Board Chairwoman Beverly Guynn for comment.

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