N.C. Man Sues Town, Claiming He Was Fired After Reporting Video of Pantless Mayor

A man is suing a North Carolina town and its mayor, claiming he was retaliated against after reporting surveillance video that showed the mayor not wearing any pants.

Jeffrey Noble filed a lawsuit against Mooresville, N.C., Mayor Chris Carney and two other town officials, accusing them of retaliating against him and ultimately having him fired for reporting misconduct, according to a civil complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

Noble, who worked in Mooresville’s IT department, filed the federal lawsuit in the Western District of North Carolina.

The lawsuit alleges that Noble saw surveillance footage of Carney entering town hall with a woman at midnight in October 2024. It further claims that Carney could be seen walking through the hallways without pants.

Noble’s complaint claims Carney’s conduct was “inconsistent with Town ethics and security policies.”

Noble says he didn’t publicize the video but instead reported it to his supervisor.

Shortly after, Noble says the town suppressed who was able to see the video and that Carney took a leave of absence for several weeks.

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The suit claims that town officials then accused Noble of leaking information to the media and that he was subsequently placed on administrative leave.

In June 2025, Noble claims he was compelled to attend an “administrative interview” where he was confronted with allegations that he had leaked information. Weeks later, he was told his firing had been recommended.

Carney, who won reelection in 2024, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.