Ex-police chief sues Lake City for alleged discrimination

Emmanuel Williams, a former candidate for police chief in Lake City, has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and former administrator William Hall. He claims discrimination, defamation, and broken promises in the lawsuit submitted on March 19 in Florence, South Carolina. Williams, who is Black, was announced as the new police chief on February 23, 2024, with a start date of March 4. However, shortly after, Lake City officials stated that he had chosen not to accept the position. The lawsuit alleges that Hall pressured Williams to withdraw his acceptance by threatening to release damaging information about him. Before the hiring announcement, the city conducted no background check on Williams, according to Mayor Yemekia Robinson. She accepted responsibility for the situation, stating that the hiring committee was aware of a 2015 incident involving Williams but still recommended him. The lawsuit claims that after Williams resigned from his previous job, he was unfairly disqualified and subjected to unnecessary background checks. It argues that the city has a pattern of discriminating against minority employees and that Williams was treated differently because of his race. The lawsuit also accuses Lake City of defamation for mistakenly claiming that Williams "backed out" of the position and implying he had a questionable background. Williams is seeking compensation for lost wages, benefits, and damages due to emotional distress and humiliation. William Hall was terminated from his position without cause in January 2025.