Junction mayor Douglas seemingly uses racial slur in viral video

JUNCTION CITY, Ky. — A video said to capture Junction City Mayor Jim Douglas calling longtime Boyle County Sheriff’s Deputy Charles Parks, who has more than 40 years of public service, a racial slur is circulating on social media, prompting calls for accountability from residents and local officials.

The video, recorded by a source who wished to remain anonymous, was uploaded to Facebook by Junction City resident Hannah Lashay Marquez. The footage shows a ceiling while capturing a conversation between Douglas and another man.

At approximately three minutes into the 4-minute, 19-second video, Douglas appears to use the N-word while referring to Parks: “Well, the little [racial slur], Charlie Parks, uh, come picked him up and took him home.”

Douglas acknowledged that the conversation took place but said the audio had been digitally altered to insert a slur he never uttered.

At the time of publication, Marquez’s original Facebook post had received more than 200 shares and close to 250 reactions — with hundreds of comments between original post and those sharing it.

Speaking to The Advocate-Messenger, Marquez said she is a resident who has lived in Junction City for much of her life. She has three children who attend Junction City Elementary School and works as a college instructor and social worker.

Marquez said she received the video from a source, who wishes to remain anonymous, shortly after 12 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9. She said this came after becoming interested in city government proceedings and seeking answers about concerns raised during the city council meeting held Thursday, Oct. 8.

Near the end of the meeting, Councilman David Stevens asked Douglas about reports that a video had surfaced showing him using a racial slur toward a Boyle County sheriff’s deputy, asking if Douglas could answer to that allegation.

Douglas responded, “Who started that lie?” Stevens replied that he wouldn’t say, but that the video was sent to his phone.

Douglas then threw his hands up, replying, “Who gives a damn?”

Marquez said that response, combined with the seriousness of the allegation, prompted her to look for the video and determine whether it could be shared publicly.

“I believe that if you are silent, you are complicit,” Marquez said. “I am not going to be a person who says I love everybody, and then just sit aside and watch our Black neighbors — much less a public servant like Charlie Parks, who has served this county for decades — just be disparaged.”

Marquez said she independently examined the video’s metadata and was sure that the recording had not been altered. She said the source sent her the video with its data intact and that she had been told a signed letter of authenticity was being prepared, although she had not received it at the time of her phone call with The Advocate-Messenger on Sunday afternoon.

Marquez said she had been careful not to tell people what to think about the recording, preferring to share the information and allow the public to draw its own conclusions.

However, she said she believes Douglas’ conduct and his response to the allegation raise serious questions about his ability to represent Junction City.

“I think that he has maintained that (position) for too long,” Marquez said, referring to Douglas’ tenure as mayor. She added that she believes some residents are afraid to speak out and that the way Douglas addresses people during council meetings is unacceptable.

Marquez also questioned why the mayor and city officials had not more directly addressed and condemned the use of racial slurs.

She noted that Junction City Elementary School serves a diverse student population and said the allegation was particularly troubling to her as a mother of biracial children.

“Junction City is better than this,” Marquez said. “Jim Douglas doesn’t speak for us.”

The city of Junction City posted an official statement on its Facebook page Saturday, Oct. 10, disputing the authenticity of the audio.

The statement said the underlying conversation was authentic but alleged that the audio track had been digitally altered to insert a racial slur Douglas never uttered.

“This recording has been deliberately tampered with to insert a vile word I have never used,” Douglas said in the statement. “While the conversation itself took place, the offensive language was entirely fabricated and spliced into the track.”

The city described the recording’s circulation as a politically motivated attempt to damage Douglas’ reputation and influence voters ahead of the upcoming municipal election. The statement said the city was reviewing its options for investigating the alleged digital manipulation and condemned the editing and distribution of altered media.

Marquez questioned the mayor’s assertion that the audio had been altered, particularly because the statement acknowledged that the underlying conversation took place.

“In the statement, the mayor mentions that this conversation absolutely happened. That would indicate that he knows who recorded the video or who was in the room,” Marquez said.

“If that is true, and he says that it was tampered with, why has he not accused that person?”

Local elected officials and candidates have also weighed in on the controversy.

Councilwoman Brittany Coffman issued a statement to social media saying she had seen the video and condemning the alleged language.

“This is disgusting and abhorrent, and it has no place in Junction City!” Coffman wrote.

Coffman said city residents and the deputies who serve the community deserve leaders who treat everyone with respect. She called on Douglas to provide answers, adding that residents should not have to wait until the election or until a new mayor takes office for accountability.

“Silence is not acceptable!” Coffman wrote.

Councilwoman Mary Hurst also expressed opposition to Douglas in a social media post that didn’t reference the incident, but was made after the video was shared.

“No, I do not support our current mayor, nor do I agree with the things that he does with the city,” Hurst wrote.

Mason Lee, a candidate for Junction City Council, also addressed the controversy, saying the allegations raised concerns beyond ordinary political disagreements.

“The use of racial slurs directed at a respected member of our community, or anyone, is unacceptable,” Lee wrote. “Public office carries a responsibility to treat every member of our community with dignity and respect.”

Lee said residents deserve leadership rooted in respect, integrity and accountability.

Parks also addressed the controversy in a social media post on Sunday, Oct. 11.

“As far as the ‘N’ word, I have been called that many times in my 48 years of police service. I had to take the time at one point to look it up in the Webster’s dictionary, because a man I arrested in Danville called me that more times than I could count.

It did not say anything about skin color. It was all about ‘a low life piece of trash.’ So if someone feels that way about me maybe he should open the book and read it.

I truly appreciate all the support and comments and all my friends, but I’m good and life goes on.”

Mayor Jim Douglas has agreed to meet with The Advocate-Messenger later this week to tell his side of the story in more detail. Readers can look forward to more on this story in an upcoming edition of The Advocate-Messenger.