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Wlaf1450Grievance filed by employee Eric Griffith against LUB General Manager Regina Kennedy, others
By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- On Monday evening, the LaFollette Utility Board approved the authorization of an independent investigation by a third party into a grievance that was filed last month against LUB General Manager Regina Kennedy, and other administrative personnel.
At the last LUB meeting, the board had approved an investigation process to look into a grievance made by utility employee Eric Griffith against the utility’s general manager, and other administrative staff. The utility board, in accordance with its own personnel policy, approved for board chairman Jay Willoughby to begin the process of investigating the grievance. Once he is done, he was to report back to the board.
During Monday’s workshop, LUB Attorney Reid Troutman spoke very briefly, telling board members that Willoughby had spoken to him and that he “had some issues and was not going to be able to dedicate the time that is needed to do the investigation.”
“I recommended to him that it would probably be best to have a third party do it, we do this often at the city. I have a couple of people I can call, and I have someone in mind actually to do it not from here, they are in Sevier County and independent and probably won’t know anybody involved. So, I am just seeking authority from the board to hire somebody,” Troutman said.
During the meeting, board members approved Troutman to hire a third party. Troutman said he would keep the board updated on where he is at with hiring someone. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/24/2026-6AM)