An IT employee is suing Mooresville, North Carolina, and its mayor, alleging he was fired for reporting surveillance footage that showed Mayor Chris Carney walking through town hall without pants.
At a Glance
- Jeffrey Noble, an IT worker, reported surveillance video of Mayor Chris Carney entering town hall pants-less at midnight with a woman
- After reporting the video to his supervisor, Noble claims town officials accused him of leaking the footage to media
- Noble was placed on administrative leave and later fired
- Why it matters: The case highlights potential whistleblower retaliation in local government
Jeffrey Noble filed a federal lawsuit in the Western District of North Carolina against the town, Mayor Carney, and two other officials. The civil complaint obtained by News Of Losangeles alleges the defendants retaliated against Noble for properly reporting misconduct.
The Incident
According to the lawsuit, Noble saw surveillance footage from October 2024 showing Mayor Carney entering town hall with a woman at midnight. The footage allegedly showed Carney walking through the hallways without wearing pants.
Noble’s complaint states that Carney’s conduct was “inconsistent with Town ethics and security policies.”
Rather than publicizing the video, Noble says he followed proper protocol and reported what he saw to his supervisor.
The Alleged Retaliation
Following Noble’s report, several actions were taken:
- The town restricted who could access the surveillance video
- Carney took a leave of absence for several weeks
- Town officials accused Noble of leaking information to the media
- Noble was placed on administrative leave
In June 2025, Noble claims he was forced to attend an “administrative interview” where he faced allegations of leaking information to media outlets. Weeks after this interview, Noble says he was informed that his termination had been recommended.
Legal Action
Noble’s federal lawsuit accuses the town and its officials of violating his rights and retaliating against him for reporting what he believed to be misconduct. The case seeks damages for wrongful termination and other related claims.
Mayor Carney, who won reelection in 2024, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Sophia A. Reynolds.
Key Takeaways
- Noble reported surveillance footage showing potential misconduct through proper channels
- Instead of investigating the mayor’s behavior, town officials allegedly targeted the whistleblower
- The case raises questions about accountability and transparency in local government
- Noble’s termination occurred nearly eight months after he initially reported the incident
