Jerry Killingsworth had lots to say while on the stand as a witness in the City Hall corruption trial -- including how distrustful he was of FBI informant Bill Fisher -- but his uneasy demeanor made us wonder what the city's housing department director was trying to keep secret.
Turns out, after Unfair Park did some digging, we discovered he's got a beef with the Dallas Housing Authority, according to a lawsuit he filed July 13, in which he sues the agency for breach of contract and asks for one year's salary ($200,000) and retirement benefits. Killingsworth's suit claims he signed a contract in November 2006 with the DHA to replace Ann Lott (another trial witness) as president and CEO but was unable to assume his duties "for purely political reasons." Of course, Lott was brought back and eventually resigned.
We've placed calls to Killingsworth and his attorney, John Crouch, to get some elaboration on the "political reasons," but until then, we've got the relevant documents for you after the jump, including the DHA's response, which argues that Killingsworth's "alleged contract" doesn't apply because it wasn't authorized by the DHA's board.
A jury trial is set for February 22 -- just about the time the federal corruption case should be wrapping up at this pace.
Jerry Killingsworth vs. DHA - petition Jerry Killingsworth vs. DHA - answer
