TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Nov 19, 2025

The former chief administrative officer (CAO) of the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk's office has sued General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer, alleging Sawyer fired him as retribution for reporting an alleged misappropriation of nearly $6,000. According to the lawsuit, former CAO Jeffrey Walker was told to sign off on $5,801 in seemingly personal expenses made on a county government procurement card. According to the Commercial Appeal, he later reported the spending to the county ethics commission and Sawyer allegedly became hostile, pressured him to resign and later terminated him. Walker alleges he was locked out of his computer, excluded from meetings and ostracized before being fired following medical leave. He also is suing the county for failing to address his complaints about Sawyer. The suit seeks reinstatement, $1 million in damages and attorney’s fees. Sawyer’s office did not comment according to the paper.