Lawsuit accuses former MSCS Supt. Dr. Marie Feagins of sexual harassment

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A former Memphis Shelby County Schools employee filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday accusing former MSCS Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins of exposing herself on two occasions.

Camalyn Turner is suing MSCS for sexual harassment and retaliation. She claims her role and pay changed after she turned down Feagins’ advances.

Employee hired in June 2024

Attorney Murray Wells represents Turner, who was hired in June 2024 as executive administrative assistant to then-Superintendent Feagins.

Within months, Wells said, Turner’s career in education was destroyed.

“It was completely derailed. But she’s a strong lady, and I think if you talk to her, she would smile through the tears of what happened to her,” Wells told Action News 5.

Allegations in the lawsuit

The lawsuit says the first incident happened when Turner was “a guest in Dr. Feagins’ residence,” staying with her when she first moved to town, and her own apartment wasn’t ready yet.

The suit says, “Dr. Feagins called upstairs for plaintiff to come down and listen to a conversation Feagins was having with an MSCS Board member.”

But when Turner started walking down the stairs, the suit says, “Dr. Feagins was standing at the foot of the stairs completely naked, staring at Plaintiff and waiting for her.”

Turner, according to her lawsuit, immediately turned around, went back upstairs, and shut the door.

“Plaintiff did not reciprocate,” according to the suit.

The second incident happened in October 2024 before a Memphis Tigers basketball event. According to the suit, Feagins asked Turner to go buy her an outfit to wear.

When Turner delivered the clothing, the suit says, “Feagins insisted that Plaintiff remain in the room while Dr. Feagins undressed. When Plaintiff turned away, Dr. Feagins mocked her, saying, ‘I don’t know why you are acting like you haven’t seen a naked woman before.’”

Wells says Turner is now in counseling, working through the experience.

“I don’t think gender matters when you’re talking about sexual harassment,” Wells said. “I think people have to realize that it’s a serious matter and that ultimately the schools are responsible for the actions of their top administrator.”

Demotion, pay cut and resignation

Wells said Turner was demoted, her salary cut, and she was ultimately forced to resign.

The school board fired Feagins in January 2025 for unrelated reasons.

Wells is quick to add that his client’s case isn’t politically motivated, and that he’s trying to keep her out of the ongoing litigation between MSCS and Feagins over her firing.

Turner’s suit seeks back pay and compensation for emotional distress.

“It’s stunning to me that here we are … well in 2024 at that time … and there are people in positions of authority who still try to take advantage of people who are just trying to do their job and make Memphis a better place for our children,” Wells said.

District response

A spokesperson for Memphis-Shelby County Schools said the district can’t comment on pending litigation.

A reporter called Feagins on Thursday night, and she hung up the phone.

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