The Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse is seen at Tulare and O streets Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in downtown Fresno, California.
ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
ezamora@fresnobee.com
Charles Smith, one of two former code enforcement employees suing the city for civil rights violations, was shocked when his supervisor used a racial slur about a Black worker.
Smith testified Thursday, sometimes through tears, about not wanting to be part of supervisor Howard Lacy’s vendetta against his Black co-worker, La-Kebbia “Kiki” Wilson. He also alleges the city failed to act to stop the harassment.
Both are suing the city for damages
Smith, who spent most of the day testifying, said he regrets not being able to keep his job in the code enforcement division. He joined the city in 2016 as a part-time temporary worker, eventually earning a full-time job. He said he loved his job and confirmed that he had become friendly with the supervisor.
“First and foremost he was my friend,” Smith said.
Smith testified that he felt torn about his friendship with Lacy and the things the supervisor was saying about Wilson, including calling her an “entitled n—a” and claiming she played the race card to her benefit. On another occasion Lacy described her as “lazy and a piece of sh–.”
“I wish he had just apologized,” Smith said.
An attorney defending the city challenged Smith’s assessment of the supervisor’s views about people of color.
The attorney asked Smith if he ever heard the supervisor say anything racist about anyone else.
He said no.
“Did he ever specifically tell you he did not like African American people,” she asked.
Smith replied, “No, but actions speak louder than words.”
During his testimony earlier this week, Lacy denied using any of the language in question, and filed his own competing lawsuit in 2019 to try to halt what he described as repeated false accusations. His lawsuit failed the same year and never went to trial.
Smith said he did not immediately report the allegations fearing he was going to get fired. Instead, Smith alleges he was retaliated against by being transferred to the “tire team” where city workers recover abandoned tires.
Smith left the city after three months.
“The reason I did what I did was to prevent this whole thing from happening,” Smith said. “I wanted this to be amicably resolved.”
The civil rights trial continues Friday in Department 6.
Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 26 de febrero de 2026, 4:37 p. m..
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A Valley native, Robert has worked at The Fresno Bee since 1994, covering various topics including education, business, courts and agriculture.