Former CCP president claims board chair pressured him to steer business toward political allies and vendors in court complaint.

The Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) is facing serious allegations following the termination of its president, Donald Guy Generals. In a lawsuit filed recently, Generals accuses Harold T. Epps, the chair of the college’s board of trustees, of pressuring him to engage in cronyism by steering college business towards Epps’ political allies and personal acquaintances. The complaint asserts that Epps used his position as board chair to engage in self-dealing, attempting to influence college contracts.

Epps is not only the chair but also serves as a senior adviser for economic development at Bellevue Strategies, a firm specializing in government relations and advocacy. His past role includes serving as the director of commerce for Philadelphia during the first term of former Mayor Jim Kenney.

The lawsuit alleges that upon Generals’ refusal to comply with these requests, Epps retaliated by lobbying new board members and making false accusations aimed at discrediting Generals. In a statement, the board of trustees dismissed the allegations as “frivolous and without merit,” emphasizing its commitment to a vigorous defense of its actions. Board spokesperson Kyle D. Anderson asserted that the board had followed all contractual and legal protocols throughout the process.

The complaint also suggests that the board’s process for placing Generals on paid administrative leave was flawed. It claims that the action, taken with less than 24 hours’ notice, violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, rendering the board’s vote invalid. Generals contends that not only was he unfairly removed, but he experienced defamatory conduct that significantly harmed his professional reputation.

Since his removal, Generals has faced significant restrictions, including being denied access to college email and having his image removed from the CCP website. The lawsuit seeks his reinstatement until the end of his contract in June, alongside damages for the alleged violations against him.

This legal dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between Generals, who had led the college for nearly 11 years, and the board of trustees. Generals, through his legal representation, indicates that he has long voiced his concerns over his treatment, levying accusations against the board for several months prior to the sudden decision to terminate him.

As the situation unfolds, it raises questions regarding governance and accountability within educational institutions, particularly in light of the positive achievements under Generals’ leadership, including increased enrollment and successful navigation through the challenges posed by the pandemic. The outcome of this legal battle may not only shape the future of Generals but could also influence policies and practices at the Community College of Philadelphia.