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Dr. Veronica G. Brown

Veronica Brown And Shelby County Health Department Under Fire for Retaliation: Accused of Leading Retaliatory Campaign Against Whistleblower in Federal Lawsuit

Dr. Veronica G. Brown

 

By Staff: Investigative Report on September 9, 2024

 

MEMPHIS, TN—— In a damning new lawsuit filed in federal court today, Reverend Gerald Kiner, a local whistleblower and prominent community activist, has exposed a troubling pattern of misconduct within the Shelby County Health Department. At the heart of the case,  Dr. Veronica G. Brown, who stands accused of retaliating against Kiner by withholding contractual payments in a coordinated effort to punish him for raising alarm over unethical practices. The lawsuit raises serious questions about the integrity of the Shelby County Government and its failure to safeguard whistleblowers.

 

Pattern of Retaliation and Misconduct

 

According to court filings, Kiner claims that Dr. Brown, acting both in her official and individual capacities, has unlawfully withheld payments owed to his organization, under Contract No. CA24004693. The alleged non-payment, totaled over $93,000. Kiner’s motion for emergency relief suggests that this is not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign of retaliation by Shelby County officials.

 

The complaint details how Dr. Brown’s actions fit into a troubling pattern of retaliation following Kiner’s whistleblower activities. Though Dr. Brown is not a defendant in Kiner’s separate  $10 million defamation case against her boss and  Shelby County Health Department’s second in command Travis Green, her conduct here underscores a systematic issue within county government: whistleblowers are not only ignored but actively punished.

 

Withholding Payments as Retaliation

 

The lawsuit paints a picture of a calculated and petty effort by Dr. Brown and other Shelby County officials to financially cripple Kiner after he raised concerns about misconduct within the county government. According to the suit, Kiner submitted all required invoices by July 2, 2024, in full compliance with contract stipulations. Yet, despite no disputes over his performance, payments remain unpaid.

 

“These actions are more than just negligence—they’re retaliatory and deceitful,” said Kiner in court documents. “They’re designed to silence me and punish me for holding them accountable.”

 

Dr. Brown’s failure to respond to Kiner’s inquiries for nearly a month only reinforces the impression of an administration that is willing to engage in underhanded tactics to suppress dissent and avoid scrutiny.

 

Fraudulent Concealment and Official Misconduct

 

Adding to the weight of Kiner’s allegations, the suit accuses Dr. Brown of fraudulent concealment, claiming that the county failed to provide any explanation for withholding funds. Even after repeated inquiries, county officials offered no documentation or credible justification for their actions.

 

The case also raises concerns about official misconduct, as defined under Tennessee Code Ann. § 39-16-402, with Kiner alleging that Brown and her colleagues Shelby County Health Department’s Terrice May and Assistant County Attorney Angela Locklear have deliberately neglected their legal duties, causing financial harm. Kiner was forced to file a complaint with County Commissioner Brittany Thornton just to get a response from Brown—further evidence, he argues, of the department’s disregard for accountability.

 

White- Collar Black- On – Black Crime 

 

In a scathing rebuke of some within Shelby County’s leadership, Kiner labeled the situation as a case of “white-collar Black-on-Black crime,” pointing to a deeper cultural issue within Memphis’ political landscape. “It’s the same mentality we see in the toughest streets of Memphis, but now it’s coming from the certain black leaders at 125 N. Main Street and 160 N. Main Street,” Kiner asserted. “This is why Atlanta took off, but Memphis never did—because we’re so consumed with jealousy and hatred for our own people. Just like in the ‘hood’, if you’re not part of their ‘sect’ or ‘clique,’ they’ll try to cripple you or kill you financially.” Kiner’s words underscore the larger issue of internal division, suggesting that this culture of exclusion and retaliation is stunting Memphis’ growth.

 

Shelby County’s Negligence Exposed

 

The lawsuit not only focuses on Dr. Brown but also implicates the broader Shelby County Government in a pattern of negligence and failure to protect whistleblowers. By allowing Brown’s conduct to persist unchecked, the county has demonstrated a dangerous lack of oversight.

 

The ramifications of this case could stretch beyond the courtroom. If Kiner’s allegations hold, Shelby County may face further legal consequences and public scrutiny for its failure to uphold constitutional protections for whistleblowers and its potential complicity in Brown’s alleged misconduct.

 

“This is not just a matter of Dr. Brown acting alone,” Kiner’s motion reads. “Shelby County Government has failed to put in place the safeguards necessary to protect individuals like me from this kind of retaliation. They’ve ignored their legal obligations and their constitutional oath to protect the constitutional rights of its citizens which they took as they were sworn into office.”

 

Calls for Accountability

 

Kiner is not only seeking financial compensation but also pushing for systemic change. In addition to his request for $25 million in punitive damages, Kiner is calling for a full investigation into the Shelby County Health Department’s practices and leadership.

 

“This isn’t just about my contract,” Kiner said in a statement. “It’s about ensuring that Shelby County Government and its employees – the bad actors are held accountable for their actions. No one should face retaliation for speaking out against injustice.”

 

As this case moves forward, all eyes will be on how the courts address these serious allegations of misconduct, retaliation, and negligence. Shelby County Government, already reeling from other public controversies, could find itself facing yet another crisis—this one rooted in claims of systemic failure and abuse of power. Dr. Brown and her colleagues now stand accused of representing a deeply flawed system, one where retaliation trumps justice, and accountability is conspicuously absent.

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