A recently-filed lawsuit claims Seekonk Selectwoman Carol Bragg made racist remarks regarding a former town official.

SEEKONK – Former Seekonk Planning Board member John Monk has filed a lawsuit against Selectwoman Carol Bragg alleging that she made "racially-related" comments following Mr. Monk's appointment to the board in November of 2007.

In his complaint filed in Bristol County Superior Court, Mr. Monk, an African-American, and his attorney John B. Reilly, said that Ms. Bragg made comments "including, but not limited to, statements that he was only appointed because he was black."

According to the complaint, these comments were made after a joint appointment hearing of the board of selectmen and the planning board to fill a vacated position.

The complaint describes Ms. Bragg's statements as a type that would tend to hold Mr. Monk "up to scorn, hatred, ridicule or contempt, in the minds of a considerable and respectable segment of the community."

In addition to these allegations, Mr. Monk said in his complaint that, during his appointment process, he "answered a lengthy, variety of questions, despite the fact that many were of a decidedly personal nature materially unrelated to the position to which he aspired, and in a scope well beyond what other candidates have been asked over the years."

Though Mr. Monk was appointed to the position, it was not a unanimous decision. Ms. Bragg cast the sole dissenting vote.

More than a month-and-a-half after his appointment, Mr. Monk went to town hall to file papers to seek re-election in April. At this time, Mr. Monk said in his complaint, he was told there was only a half-hour to the deadline for applications and that no other notification to seek the position had been given to the town clerk.

At this point, as alleged in the complaint, Ms. Bragg presented notifications of intent (on behalf of a Caucasian friend) to seek all available positions.

In an e-mail to the Star, Ms. Bragg said "As Gandhi once said, 'My life is my message.' I don't feel that I've done anything wrong. I've been instructed by my attorney to make no further comment pending litigation."

Mr. Reilly declined to comment on the suit until after he has obtained a disposition from former Town Administrator Paul Lamonte.

By George Morse