The judge presiding over a civil case involving former Gainesville city auditor Carlos Holt is giving both sides an additional 20 days to review the case.
Holt is suing the city, saying it violated the state Whistle-blower’s Act, and he claims the city leaked personal information about him and his family. A recent internal investigation by the Gainesville Police Department said it found no indication anyone in the department leaked anything relating to Holt or his family.
Circuit Civil Judge Monica Brasington held a hearing Friday to hear the city’s motion to dismiss the suit.
Holt's attorney, Ken Hesser, said Holt was only doing his job when he was fired.
“He investigated and basically told the city things they didn’t want to hear, and that was what ultimately led to his dismissal,” Hesser said.
The city claims Holt was fired for his performance and nothing else. Still, it happened after an audit by Holt questioned some of the administrative and financial operations of the Reichert House, a city-affiliated project which aims to help at-risk youth.
The city said it will continue to push for dismissal of Holt's claim in the next case review in March.