MONCKS CORNER, S.C. –Moncks Corner mayor Michael Lockliear has come under the national spotlight over the last few days, but it’s certainly not the kind of attention he’d probably like to have.
Lockliear, who has been the town’s mayor for almost five years, has managed to infamously grace the websites of such national news outlets as NBC news, the New York Times, MSN, Yahoo Sports, New York Post as well as The Daily Beast.
He quickly made headlines Friday after a former part-time umpire, Graylnn Moran Jr., who made $25 per game, filed a lawsuit against him claiming that during an adult kickball match Lockliear disagreed with his call, then threatened him, and ultimately used his political power to have him fired.
Allegations contained in the lawsuit paint the mayor as a man who boldly displayed child-like, unsportsmanlike, arrogant and unprofessional behavior on the ball field.
Heated Encounter on the Ball Field
According to the lawsuit, on August 6, 2019, Moran officiated his final kickball game of the evening between the “Recreational Hazard,” a team made mostly up of the town of Moncks Corner employees and family members, and the “Toe Jammers,” an out-of-town team.
During the game, as the mayor’s son approached the home plate, a player from the opposing team “tagged” him in the back of the leg with the ball. That’s when Moran called the mayor’s grown son out at home. However, this did not end the umpire’s simple call of “out,” the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit claims that Lockliear shouted at the umpire, “He was passed the plate. Are you stupid?” Although the umpire reportedly ignored the mayor’s remarks, the mayor allegedly continued his tirade and shouted, “That’s ridiculous. You don’t need to be getting $25. You should be paying us $25! I can’t believe this!”
Not realizing that the person shouting at him was actually the mayor, the umpire reportedly responded back, “You’re a player for the town of Moncks Corner. Calm down. You’re representing the town.”
The lawsuit claims that Lockliear angrily replied, “I own this town. You won’t have to worry about representing this town because you won’t be back out here.”
The umpire then reportedly responded back with, “Okay, that’s enough.”
According the lawsuit, the mayor angrily responded, “What are you going to do about it?”
Umpire Services No Longer Reportedly Needed
Two days later, the umpire reportedly received a message from his boss, William Hamm, that the town of Moncks Corner needs a break. This exchange between Hamm and Moran allegedly came after Becky Eillison, Monck’s Corner’s recreation director, told him that “someone above her did not want Graylnn back out there.”
Ultimately, the lawsuit claims the mayor’s actions led to Moran getting fired with Charleston Officials SC, a private business that manages and officiates games throughout the Lowcountry.
What Moncks Corner Mayor Michael Lockliear is Saying
Since the lawsuit was filed on Friday, the mayor has remained completely silent despite requests for comment from numerous media outlets.
However, in an interview with The Post and Courier shortly after the heated exchange on the ball field, the mayor acknowledged he yelled at Moran, but said he didn’t ask to have him reassigned.
“I’m very competitive, and I would have argued that call even if it wasn’t my son,” Lockliear said. “I said, ‘He was past the bag’ three times and then walked away.”
What’s Next
Moran’s attorney, Tom Fernandez, is requesting a jury trial. He’s suing for slander, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and tortious interference with a contract.
Lockliear along with Recreation Director Becky Ellison and Charleston Officials SC CEO William Hamm are named as defendants in the case.
“This political misconduct is a serious threat to the service of elected office and to the citizens of the town of Moncks Corner,” Fernandez writes in the lawsuit.
Fernandez has asked Gov. Henry McMaster and Attorney General Alan Wilson to investigate the case for possible misconduct in office.
A spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office told The State newspaper on Friday that a decision on any investigation would be left with local law enforcement.
SEE ALSO:
- Michael Lockliear Elected As Moncks Corner’s Newest Mayor
- Mayor Michael Lockliear Appointed to the Municipal Association of SC Board of Directors
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