Burks attorneys seek more time to turn over names
Published 11:00 am Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A first major deadline for Kenya Burks’ lawsuit against Mayor Paul Winfield and the City of Vicksburg has passed, though more time is requested, court records show.
Burks, who is suing for more than $1.5 million in federal court, has asked the court for extra time to specify who will be her expert witnesses in her suit set for trial Aug. 5, 2013.
An order Aug. 21 from U.S. Magistrate John M. Roper that set the trial date had asked for witnesses’ names by Tuesday. The same order gave Winfield until Jan. 2 to produce experts to testify on his behalf.
The trial is to take place before U.S. District Judge David Bramlette.
Burks, 39, has claimed she was subjected to a hostile work environment and retaliation after what she says was a consensual affair soured. Winfield has denied claims of sexual relations. Burks held her job title from July 2009 to April 2011.
Part of Burks’ case is tied to obtaining Winfield’s cellphone records. The court has said Winfield must produce about 21½ months of call and text data, from the time Winfield took office to when Burks’ job was eliminated by the city board.
Burks is represented by Nick Norris and Louis H. Watson Jr. of Jackson. Winfield is represented by attorneys Robert Gibbs and Vikki J. Taylor, and the city is represented by attorney Gary Friedman, all of Jackson. Winfield has said the city’s defense costs will be reflected in premiums paid to its insurance carrier and that no city funds will pay Friedman directly.