Tom Fox sues City of West Buechel

West Buechel councilman sues city over $525

“It’s a mess. I mean, it’s just a mess,” Tom Fox said. “If they withhold a paycheck in bad faith, there’s a statutory penalty.”

 

 

WEST BUECHEL, Ky. (WDRB) -- A pay dispute has a West Buechel city councilman suing the city he represents, demanding the money he says he is owed.

In the small claims lawsuit, West Buechel City Councilman Tom Fox said the city is purposely withholding $525 of his pay.

“It’s a mess. I mean, it’s just a mess,” Fox said. “If they withhold a paycheck in bad faith, there’s a statutory penalty.”

Fox was appointed to the West Buechel city council in January to replace Ruth Janie Mosely, who resigned after a WDRB invstigation into whether or not she actually lived in the city she claimed to represent.

Council members in West Buechel earn $350 a month, plus benefits, but Fox said he got nothing until he sent Mayor Rick Richards a demand letter on June 5.

“I think it’s intentional, and I think it’s punitive,” he said. “I think it’s retributive, and I think it’s personal.”

Court records say two weeks after the letter, the city turned over a check for $1,250. Now, Fox wants the rest.

“That’s what small claims and district court judges are for,” he said. “If I can’t reach any sort of reasonable agreement with City Hall, then I’ll take it to court, and that’s what I’ve done.”