The former head of the Atlanta airport, fired by Mayor Kasim Reed two weeks ago, has hired a law firm known for wrongful termination suits and whistleblower cases.

Miguel Southwell, who was general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson International, retained Parks Chesin & Walbert to represent him, according to a letter to Reed’s office from attorney Lee Parks.

The letter says Southwell was told his dismissal was due to recent long lines at the airport. But it suggests the mayor’s office wanted more control over contracts to be awarded during an upcoming wave of construction and remodeling projects.

“It is inexplicable that you would claim that the long lines at the security check points were the reason for Mr. Southwell’s termination when you knew the solution (which was sent to you for review) was days away from implementation,” the letter said. “Is it a coincidence that the termination came on the eve of the award of some of the most lucrative contracts in the airport’s long and difficult history of patronage-based awards?”

"The fact of the matter is this. Miguel Southwell is fortunate that I don't destroy his career,” [Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed] said. “What I’ve been trying to do was to allow him to leave with dignity.”

Reed wouldn't give up any goods, but proclaimed Southwell would lose any lawsuit. “Why are all of these claims being made now that he’s unemployed? If he was a person who was honorable and had the level of dignity that a leader in my department has, if he felt these things, he should have resigned or said something about it,” Reed said.

He then accused Southwell of now trying to extort the city. "A whistleblower actually says something while they’re an employee. That’s what whistleblowers do. A person who’s trying to extort an organization tries to make these claims because they know you’ll cover it well,” Reed told Diamant. “Miguel, an unemployed man, who just built a massive house in the city of Atlanta, has to figure out how he's going to pick his career up from rubble,”

The attorney representing the former general manager at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has sent a letter to Mayor Kasim Reed demanding the mayor retract statements he called "defamatory.".....The letter in it's entirety is provided below:

Dear Mayor Reed:

As you know, this law firm represents Miguel Southwell. Several media outlets covered the bizarre comments you made about Mr. Southwell yesterday, including: "If he continues down this path, I'm going to make public why he was fired. He knows that not only could I have fired him, I could have pressed charges against him." We also understand that you made other unreported comments about Mr. Southwell implying that he left the Miami Airport under a cloud.

You are well aware that Mr. Southwell has not committed a crime, nor has he done anything that would justify termination for cause in Atlanta, Miami or anywhere else. Your statements have no basis in fact and were made in a knowing and malicious attempt to destroy our client's reputation and livelihood. As you have said many times, you are not afraid of litigation, so go ahead and make known your alleged reason for firing Mr. Southwell and we will let a jury judge your credibility.

In the meantime, demand is made under O.C.G.A 51-5-11 that you publicly retract these false and defamatory statements within seven (7) days of the date of this letter. The retraction must be effected "in as conspicuous and public a manner" as the slanderous statements themselves. O.C.G.A. 51-5-11(b)(1)(B). Your failure to do so exposes you personally to punitive damages.

Very truly yours,

J. Matthew Maguire, Jr.