Ousted Tempe Councilman Kolby Granville Demands $100,000 From City

Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 5:48pm
Updated: Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 8:35am
Mariana Dale/KJZZ
Kolby Granville listens to public comment on April 12, 2019, from a woman who says she was a former student in his class.

An ousted Tempe councilman alleges he was unlawfully removed from office and wants the city to pay him roughly $100,000.

Kolby Granville accused Tempe’s mayor, various council members and city officials of violating city law leading up to a unanimous vote of the council to oust Granville in April.

The 6-0 vote followed accusations that Granville made unwanted sexual advances and provided alcohol to three women under the legal drinking age. Though charges were never filed against Granville, an independent investigator hired by the city determined he violated the city’s code of conduct.

Granville, who denied the allegations, filed a notice of claim with Tempe demanding $99,999.98 in damages and a letter of apology from the city manager “for violation of my civil rights.”

In a statement, city officials said Granville was expelled according to the law, and accused him of making false, misleading and potentially defamatory allegations in his notice of claim. 

“The city of Tempe will vigorously defend against these allegations if they appear in the form of an actual lawsuit,” according to the statement.

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