The City of Vernon, Florida held their regular February Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 as seen in the video (below).
Acting City Clerk Michelle Cross took the opportunity at the meeting to inform the Council members that on some unstated previous date, she had received an unwelcome hug from a City Councilperson, causing her stress and fear, and that she feared retaliation in response to her legal action.
The charges were leveled against City Council member Chad Jackson, the board member who recommended termination of City Clerk Tracy Walker just a week ago.
According to Cross, Jackson hugged her, causing her discomfort and making her fear a repetition of the act, although there were reportedly witnesses present at the time of the hug.
Fearing the Jackson would repeat the act, Cross took the opportunity to inform the Vernon Council that she is filing a formal sexual harassment complaint, while handing each board member a sealed envelope at the meeting.