Highway Department Fires Long-time Legal Chief

A controversy stemming from an audit of the agency led to a suspension of the Arkansas Highway Department’s long-time chief legal counsel, Robert Wilson.

On Wednesday, the Highway Commission voted to terminate his employment.

Wilson was suspended after a state audit found that Highway Department legal division employees were being paid for hours they did not work. He has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination and seeking back-pay.

Rob Moritz with our content partner, the Arkansas News Bureau, reports:

The five-member Highway Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to end Wilson’s decades-long employment with the agency, action recommended by state Highway Director Scott Bennett.

The decision came on the same day civil rights lawyer John Walker handed out subpoenas to the highway commissioners in a lawsuit Wilson has filed.

Wilson’s federal lawsuit, filed Nov. 30, alleges that Wilson was suspended and effectively fired because he is black and spoke out against discriminatory practices.

The suit, which names the state highway director and all five highway commissioners as defendants, seeks Wilson’s reinstatement, back pay and a declaration of unlawful discrimination.

Highway Commission Chairman Madison Murphy of El Dorado said highway officials had been advised not to discuss the matter.

“I think on the advice of counsel, probably we don’t need to address the specifics,” Murphy said. “You’re clearly aware that we were served earlier today, and I think because it’s a matter of pending litigation, it probably behooves us not to comment any further.”

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