Wildes
An injunction filed by "Concerned classified City employees of New Orleans" asks an Orleans Parish judge to halt the City Council's nomination of a new Civil Service Commissioner.
New Orleans attorney Jerry Settle filed the injunction July 20 in Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
The suit claims that the Council's nominee, Reverend Kevin Wildes, "lacks the proper qualifications to sit as Civil Service Commissioner."
"Plaintiff further asserts the nominee has a professional bias against tenured employees, unions, civil service organizations and non-politically appointed employees," the suit states.
The suit states Wildes "lacks the independent philosophy of a Commissioner" because he has been previously appointed as a board member in other organizations by Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
The suit also claims there is a conflict of interest because Wildes currently sites on the New Orleans Public Bet Railroad board.
One hundred thirty city employees support the petition, according to a report in the Times-Picayune.
The City Council is set to vote on whether to appoint Wildes to head the five-seat commission or to retain attorney Bill Forrester Jr.
Wildes also serves as the president of Loyola University in New Orleans.
Orleans Parish Judge Paulette Irons will oversee this case.
Orleans Parish Case 2011-7765