Video: Columbus School District & Superintendent Sued

[syndicaster id=’5935411′]

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – He says the Columbus School District promised a job.

Now, Leslie Smith wants $280,000.

Smith is the uncle of Columbus Schools Superintendent Dr. Philip Hickman’s wife.

The school board voted to hire Smith in August 2014, as Director of Schools, based on Hickman’s recommendation.

A few days later, Hickman released a statement saying Smith declined the job.

In a federal lawsuit, Smith says that statement was “fabricated.”

Among other things, Smith is suing for breach of contract, deceit, and gross negligence.

The school district, along with Hickman personally and in his role as superintendent are listed in the lawsuit.

The school district did not return WCBI’s calls for comment on Tuesday afternoon.