Although several prominent Memphis are also named in the complaint, former superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins filed the whole Memphis-Shelby County Board of Education, calling out many infringements of the Tennessee Open Meetings legislation. In an interview on Wednesday, Smiley stated, however, that the complaint does not fairly depict the phone conversations he had with Feagins. Feagins and Smiley spoke on the phone four times between August 8 and August 9, the dates mentioned in the lawsuit.
“I receive a letter, and I anticipate being sued, to be honest. I’m thrilled about it as a lawyer because I know that I have the chance to speak the truth if I’m sued. That never happened. I want to speak with someone because I cannot speak honestly in court,” said Smiley.
The complaint claims that after Feagins sought a protection order against Peer Power Foundation board member Dow McVean Jr., she received a phone call from Smiley. According to the lawsuit Feagins filed, Smiley said that his supporters were incensed and that she shouldn’t have applied for an order of protection in Memphis. The lawsuit alleges that McVean sought Feagins shortly after the Memphis Chamber Chairman’s Circle and became sad about a Peer Power renewal of the contract for MSCS. The situation reflects how personal rights and public treatment can spark broader legal debates, much like the Dank Demoss Lawsuit, which also drew national attention over claims of discrimination and reputational harm. McVean allegedly scolded and swore at her while cornering her. Important information about the case is not included in the lawsuit, according to an email sent on February 4 by McVean’s lawyer.
During the call, Smiley said Feagins was screaming at him, telling him he didn’t understand what Feagins had been through, and that she insisted on speaking to Davis and Davis alone. Smiley said that the phone shut on him. The councilman claimed that after Smiley contacted a deputy police chief for MPD, the deputy then contacted Feagins. Throughout the day, Smiley got no more calls or any form of communication from Feagins. On the ninth of August at 8:28 a.m., Smiley claimed to have called Feagins to check on her, but Feagins claimed the police officer who contacted her was useless and hung up.
As per Smiley, Feagins again contacted him at 8:34 in the morning. “The call proceeded as follows: there was a lot of shouting before I said, ‘Look, let me hear you out. My role, as you requested, is to offer you guidance to assist you deal with this always-shifting environment. My recommendation to you is to stand back, unwind, and consider what you are doing right now.’ Smiley stated, ‘When she starts talking loudly again, I stop participating in the conversation.’”
On September 10, Feagins requested that the protection order against McVean be revoked. McVean expressed regret for the words he used throughout the conversation.
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