Prichard City Hall Turmoil Deepens as Senior Adviser and Assistant Placed on Administrative Leave Amid Financial Scrutiny

PRICHARD, Ala. (BuzzReport) — Political and administrative tensions inside Prichard City Hall intensified this week as two high-ranking employees within Mayor Carletta Davis’ administration were placed on administrative leave while the city continues to face mounting questions regarding its financial operations.

City spokesman Ashley Flores confirmed Thursday that T.J. Pettway, who serves as the city’s Senior Adviser for Civic and Cultural Engagement, has been placed on administrative leave. Flores also confirmed that Pettway’s assistant, Shameika Lee, has been placed on leave as well.

City officials have not disclosed the reasons behind the personnel actions, and Flores stated she was unable to provide additional details regarding the decision.

The latest developments come just one day after the Davis administration announced a major leadership change within the city’s finance department. On Wednesday, city officials revealed that longtime Finance Director Kim Wilson would be replaced as the administration seeks what it described as a “new direction” for the department.

According to a city news release, Bob Holloman officially assumed duties Thursday as Interim Finance Director. Holloman has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of the city’s financial operations, strengthening reporting procedures, and establishing a more consistent and accountable financial management structure.

Mayor Davis is expected to conduct a search for a permanent finance director in the coming months.

Despite Wilson’s departure, city officials emphasized that her replacement was not connected to any allegations of wrongdoing. Flores stressed that Wilson had not engaged in any improper conduct and that the administration’s decision was part of a broader effort to reorganize financial oversight.

The personnel shakeups arrive as an increasingly bitter dispute continues between Mayor Davis and members of the Prichard City Council over concerns surrounding the city’s finances.

For months, council members have questioned financial reporting practices, transparency, and oversight within city government. In response, the council voted to establish an investigative committee and seek assistance from an independent forensic accounting firm to review the city’s financial records and procedures.

Last week, council members formally selected a forensic accounting firm to assist with the investigation, and city officials confirmed that the firm’s review began this week.

Councilwoman Stephani Johnson-Norwood, one of the leading voices calling for greater financial transparency, said the investigation was prompted by what she described as an “unprecedented number of serious issues involving the City’s financial practices.”

In a strongly worded statement, Johnson-Norwood alleged that council members have repeatedly struggled to obtain critical financial documents and records needed to properly oversee city operations.

She cited concerns involving access to financial reports, vendor payments, contracting procedures, and what she characterized as ongoing difficulties in obtaining information necessary to evaluate the city’s true financial condition.

“The people of Prichard deserve more than public messaging and political strategy,” Johnson-Norwood said. “They deserve financial truth, public accountability, and a city government that follows the law.”

The councilwoman further argued that the City Council cannot adequately safeguard taxpayer funds when required financial reports are allegedly withheld, council resolutions are ignored, contracts are not presented for council approval, and recurring expenditures occur without clear authorization.

As of Thursday, neither Mayor Davis nor Flores had publicly responded to Johnson-Norwood’s latest allegations.

With an independent forensic review now underway, a new interim finance director in place, and senior administration officials on leave, Prichard’s political and financial challenges continue to intensify. The coming weeks are expected to be critical as investigators begin examining city records and officials work to address growing public concerns over transparency, accountability, and the management of taxpayer dollars.

The developments mark another chapter in an ongoing power struggle between the mayor’s administration and the City Council, one that has increasingly centered on questions of financial oversight and public trust in city government.