Suspended MAS director didn’t admit 2nd firing on city application
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Animal Services Director, who remains on paid leave as multiple investigations continue, had been fired from another job before landing in the Bluff City.
WREG Investigators have been digging deeper. This summer, a series of open records requests were submitted.
We recently obtained Ty Coleman's employment files from Sherman, Texas, which state he was the animal services manager for less than a year when several complaints were filed.
They alleged Coleman was living with his partner and hired him at the shelter because of their romantic relationship.
The file goes on to state that he and the partner reportedly engaged in sexual acts at the work site on/off work hours, and when they broke up, Coleman may have harassed and treated him unfairly on the job.
City officials state Coleman downplayed and later lied about how involved the relationship was. Ultimately, Coleman was fired in July 2020 despite his claims that the city went off hearsay.
It's the second job WREG Investigators have now told you about that Coleman has been fired from before coming to Memphis.
In 2022, he was hired as the animal services manager in Midland, Texas. We spoke to a volunteer who worked with him and said he changed protocols like moving dogs outside, sometimes in the heat, when they cleaned kennels.
"He bought numerous kennels and would move dogs out there," she said. "They were put outside with no shade or no water. Thankfully, we didn't have a dog die."
Midland employment records state Coleman did not successfully complete his one-year probation, but they did not go into detail. He was terminated in May 2023, which again, he tried to dispute. He even went before the council about issues he had with the shelter.
"Ever since I was let go everybody has been upset with the city and what happened," he said in June 2023.
Months later, the former Memphis mayor appointed Coleman as interim director.
We got a copy of his application, in which he admits he was "let go" from the Midland job but states the reason for leaving Sherman was "personal/started business."
We asked Memphis Mayor Paul Young about the Sherman job.
"I didn't know about anything prior to him being here. I met him when he came in because he was already at the animal shelter," Young said.
Young appointed Coleman, and when the council unanimously signed off in January, Coleman secured the official title and $120,000 salary.
Six months later, a dog died in MAS' outdoor play yard. Preliminary assessments suggest it was heat-related. Coleman was placed on leave days later.
It was later revealed that more than a dozen staffers had left under Coleman's watch, including both vets. There were also concerns documented from a national assessment.
"The previous director is still on city payroll," city officials admitted at an October council committee meeting.
MAS animal shelter director still on payroll as investigation continues
Some council members weren't happy to hear it.
"I'm just saying it looks bad," Councilman Jeff Warren stated. "The optics are really bad."
City officials say an internal and state investigation into MAS and Coleman remains ongoing.
The city has said the focus of its internal investigation is "broad."
"The investigation is still underway. I don't have a timeline. We are just going to see that process through," Young told WREG.
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We asked the state regulatory board this summer and again last month if they received any complaints about MAS or Coleman. A spokesperson said complaints and any details about an investigation would be confidential except in a proceeding that questions a license.
Coleman is still suspended but is still getting paid. He's now collected around $43,000 dollars worth of paychecks while on leave.
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