Former Camden Mayor Julian Lott has answered allegations set forth in a 2022 lawsuit by former Assistant to the Mayor Amy Perrin.
In the suit, Perrin alleges that Lott made repeated sexual advances toward her and that when she rebuffed him, he retaliated against her professionally.
Court records show that Luther Sutter and Lucien Gillham of Sutter and Gillham are the attornies on record for Perrin and that Gabrielle Gibson of the Arkansas Municpal League will represent Lott.
A motion filed by Lott on Dec. 27, 2022 refutes the allegations and denies "that plaintiff was subjected to discrimination during the course of her employment with the City on the basis of gender or any mental or physical disability."
The answer goes on to state that, "To the extent that Paintiff sustained damages, the damages are a direct and proximate result of Plaintiff's own conduct," and that, "Plaintiff has pled a factually insufficient case to warrant the imposition of punitive damages."
The suit, which was filed on Sept. 29, 2022, names Lott as a defendant, as well as the City of Camden.
The suit requests damages to be awarded due to Perrin's alleged loss of past and future income, medical bills she sustained as a result of the harassment, extreme emotional distress resulting from the harassment, pain and suffering and "other damages, all in a sum and amount in excess of the minimum amount necessary to confer jurisdiction upon the United States District Court in a diversity of citizenship case."
Perrin's 17-page court filing goes on to allege inappropriate workplace behavior from Lott, including propositions for sexual intercourse, retaliation for turning him down and open discussion about "his infidelity, sexual conquests and prowess." Perrin was ultimately fired from her position as assistant to the mayor on Oct. 1, 2022.
Lott's response denies all allegations of inappropriate behavior at the office, and denies that punitive damages are warranted.
"With respect to Plaintiff, Defendants acted reasonably, not maliciously, and in good faith," the response states.