Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis spoke to supporters after the State Board of Veterans Affairs rejected a call by Gov. Kay Ivey to remove him from office. But the governor later released a letter saying she was removing Davis by executive order despite the board vote. (Mike Cason/al.com)
(Tribune News Service) — Kent Davis has filed a federal lawsuit against Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who fired him from his position as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs last year.
Davis, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, accused Ivey of violation of due process, wrongful termination, invasion of privacy, defamation, and other claims in the lawsuit filed Wednesday.
Davis is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in the case.
Gina Maiola, communications director for the governor, issued a statement in response.
“We are extremely confident that Governor Ivey’s necessary actions will stand any court test there may be,” Maiola said.
Davis was commissioner of the ADVA from 2019 until his firing in October 2024.
Ivey asked the State Board of Veterans Affairs to fire Davis, but the board declined to do so after a public hearing in October.
Ivey then removed him by executive order.
The firing came after a dispute between the governor and Davis involving federal funds for mental health care for veterans and an ethics complaint Davis filed against one of Ivey’s cabinet members.
Davis and his attorney, Kenneth Mendelsohn, have scheduled a press conference Wednesday after to talk about the lawsuit.
Davis has been mentioned as a possible candidate for U.S. Senate now that Tommy Tuberville has announced he is running for governor in 2026.
This story will be updated.
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