MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
A former City of Hutchinson department head has filed a federal lawsuit alleging he was fired because of his age, race and sex after nearly two decades with the city.
Thomas Sanders, who served as the city's director of human resources from 2006 until his termination on Oct. 31, 2024, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas against the City of Hutchinson. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and alleges violations of federal civil rights and employment laws.
According to the complaint, Sanders was 59 years old when he was terminated. He alleges the city discriminated against him because he is an older white male and retaliated against him for repeatedly raising concerns about employment practices and compliance with equal employment opportunity laws.
Sanders contends he consistently received positive performance evaluations during his more than 18 years with the city. His most recent evaluation, completed in August 2024 by then-Interim City Manager Mary Grace Clements, rated him "Outstanding" or "Good" in every performance category and praised his leadership and contributions to the city. The lawsuit also states Sanders received a pay increase just months before his dismissal.
The lawsuit alleges Sanders became the target of city leadership following the 2023 termination of then-City Manager Kendal Francis. Sanders claims he recommended hiring an outside investigator to examine allegations against Francis involving horseplay and sexual harassment. The investigation ultimately led to Francis' dismissal.
According to the complaint, City Councilman Steve Garza publicly blamed Sanders for Francis' termination and stated during a City Council meeting that the "good old boy has got to be stopped." Sanders further alleges Clements later told him he "had a target on his back."
The complaint also claims Sanders repeatedly objected to hiring decisions he believed violated equal employment opportunity principles.
Among those concerns was the creation of the city's Director of Strategic Growth position in early 2024. Sanders alleges the position was created specifically for Dave Soleto, who was ultimately hired despite what Sanders describes as insufficient qualifications. The lawsuit claims Sanders raised concerns with then-Mayor Greg Fast about the hiring process and alleged deviations from standard city procedures.
Sanders also alleges he raised concerns regarding the city's handling of an internal complaint involving a Hutchinson police sergeant and argued city leaders failed to follow established policies and best practices.
The lawsuit states Sanders was fired on Oct. 31, 2024, the same day Clements concluded her service as interim city manager. Sanders alleges current City Manager Enrico Villegas told him he was being terminated for sending an email concerning work schedule changes. Sanders claims he sent the email only after discussing the issue with Villegas and at Villegas' direction, making the stated reason for his termination merely a pretext for discrimination.
The complaint further alleges the city has demonstrated a pattern of treating older white male employees less favorably than younger, non-white employees. As examples, Sanders cites the departures of former City Manager Jeff Cantrell, former Public Works Director Brian Clennan and former Water and Sewer Maintenance Superintendent Richard Buller, all of whom he claims were replaced by younger or less qualified individuals.
Sanders' lawsuit alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981 and federal retaliation protections. He is seeking back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and other relief.
Before filing suit, Sanders filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in April 2025. The EEOC issued a Notice of Right to Sue on Jan. 23, 2026, allowing the case to proceed in federal court.
Court records show the parties have since agreed to a protective order governing confidential discovery materials and have scheduled mediation for Aug. 26, 2026.
The allegations contained in the lawsuit are claims made by the plaintiff and have not been proven in court. The City of Hutchinson has not yet filed a response to the complaint in the court record provided.
Hutch Post reached out to the city for comment. They replied that they have no comment.