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Charity Responds to Watts Firing Suit

Feed the Children

 

Directors at an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit say a former U.S. congressman was fired from their organization in November for legitimate business reasons.

The Oklahoman reports J.C. Watts sued Feed the Children and six directors in April in Oklahoma County District Court, alleging he was fired from his role as CEO and president in retaliation for reporting problems at the charity to the state attorney general's office.

Directors allege Watts' conduct while working for the organization last year was "insubordinate, dishonest and improper." They claim Watts misrepresented his fundraising abilities and sought to hire his associates and friends to high-paying executive positions.

But Watts' lawsuit alleges directors terminated him the day after he told them he reported his allegations.

He was fired less than 10 months into his three-year contract.