Columbia Employee Alleges Rights Violations in Federal Filing

Issue #669

February 19, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛅️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Sunshine & clouds mixed w/ high of 64, low of 43

📰 Columbia Employee Alleges Rights Violations in Federal Filing

👉 Courthouse Renovation Progress on Display in New Drone Footage

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Employee Alleges Rights Violations in Federal Filing

According to a public statement released by Dustin Kittle of Humble Law, LLC, a federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of a Columbia city employee. Below is the press release posted on Wednesday…

A federal civil rights lawsuit filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee alleges that senior officials of the City of Columbia retaliated against one of their own employees for exercising her constitutional right to speak as a private citizen at a public City Council meeting.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Columbia resident and City employee Christy Daus, names the City of Columbia, Mayor Chaz Molder, City Manager Tony Massey, and Human Resources Director Wanda McClain as defendants.

According to the Complaint, Ms. Daus spoke at a public City Council meeting and communicated with elected officials in her capacity as a private citizen and homeowner to oppose a proposed multi-family apartment complex, The Waters Edge at Taylor Landing, planned immediately adjacent to her home. Her statements addressed matters of public concern, including infrastructure capacity, water availability, and the City’s development approval process.  

The lawsuit alleges that shortly after exercising her constitutional rights, Ms. Daus was summoned to Human Resources and confronted about her public comments. According to the Complaint, City officials invoked disciplinary policies, accused her of misconduct, and signaled that her continued employment could be affected by her participation in public discourse.  

The Complaint alleges these actions were undertaken not because of any workplace misconduct, but because Ms. Daus spoke openly and publicly about a controversial development project and the City’s handling of it.

“This case presents grave allegations that government officials used their authority to retaliate against a citizen for speaking at a public meeting,” said Dustin J. Kittle, counsel for Ms. Daus. “The First Amendment does not permit government officials to punish citizens—or their own employees—for speaking openly about government actions.”

The lawsuit asserts claims under federal civil rights law, including violations of the First Amendment, denial of due process, unlawful retaliation, and municipal liability. It also asserts claims under Tennessee law protecting public employees’ right to communicate with elected officials without fear of retaliation.  

According to the Complaint, the City’s actions had the purpose and effect of intimidating Ms. Daus and deterring not only her, but other City employees and residents, from exercising their constitutional rights to speak freely about matters of public concern.  

“No citizen should ever be forced to choose between their constitutional rights and their livelihood,” Kittle said. “Ms. Daus, who is a widow and a grandmother, engaged in lawful, protected speech in the most appropriate forum possible — a public City Council meeting — and was then subjected to intimidation and threats from the very government she was addressing.”

The lawsuit comes at a time of heightened public scrutiny regarding development approvals, infrastructure capacity, and land use decisions in Columbia. The named defendants include Mayor Charles “Chaz” Molder, who currently serves as Mayor of Columbia and is a candidate for the United States House of Representatives.

Counsel emphasized that the lawsuit seeks not only to vindicate Ms. Daus’s individual rights, but to ensure that constitutional protections are respected and enforced.

“This case is about more than one individual,” Kittle said. “It is about whether citizens can speak openly at public meetings without fear of retaliation from government officials. The Constitution exists to protect precisely that right.”

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, permanent injunctive relief prohibiting further retaliation, and a declaration that the City’s conduct violated Ms. Daus’s constitutional rights. The Complaint also requests a jury trial.

Counsel further stated that the filing represents an important step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental constitutional rights.

“The right of citizens to speak openly about government actions without fear of retaliation is one of the foundational principles of our constitutional system,” Kittle said. “This lawsuit seeks to ensure those principles are upheld.”

Courthouse Renovation Progress on Display in New Drone Footage

Renovations at the Maury County Courthouse are steadily moving forward — and the transformation is becoming easier to see.

The rotunda is now completely open from the ground floor to the ceiling, revealing the full architectural impact of the historic space. Travis Batton of Shuttering Thru Life Photography & Videography recently captured striking drone footage from inside and outside the courthouse, offering a new perspective on one of Maury County’s most recognizable landmarks.

From Mayor Sheila Butt’s post on Wednesday…   

I am appreciative of the County Commission for funding this project. I know that all of you, as taxpayers and residents of Maury County, will be proud of what we are doing to preserve this historical and cultural asset to Maury County. 

We received a $500,000 historical grant and we will have income from the third floor that will help us pay for the renovations. Maintaining the assets we have well is good stewardship. 

It has been my plan from the beginning to keep the building an active and thriving part of our community. The Second Floor will also house the new County Commission Meeting Room.

I can’t wait to show you what we will have done with our jewel and the most photographed courthouse in Tennessee!

Updates on the renovation are shared regularly by Eric Previti for those wanting to follow the project’s progress.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, February 20th

Saturday, February 21st

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, February 20
Music City Dueling Pianos – The Mulehouse, 7 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson – McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Nick Bentley – Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7–9 PM
Troy Castellano – Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Madison McCoy – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Bonus Track – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

Saturday, February 21
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints – McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Winter Series: The Bourbon Gospel – 7:30 PM
Chad Cates – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Grace West Band – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

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