JACKSON, Miss. – The Latest on a sexual harassment suit filed against the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi (all times local):

4 p.m.

The city of Jackson, Mississippi, says a sexual harassment lawsuit that a former employee filed against the mayor is an “egregious character assassination and political ploy.”

The statement says the city will vigorously defend against the federal suit filed Thursday against Mayor Tony Yarber.

His former executive assistant, Kimberly V. Bracey, says in the lawsuit that she had a consensual sexual relationship with Yarber and was fired from her city job when she ended it.

The suit also says Yarber, who is married, made inappropriate sexual comments about other women

Yarber, a Democrat, is a pastor and motivational speaker. He was elected in April 2014 to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, who died a few months after taking office in Mississippi’s capital city. Yarber is expected to seek re-election in 2017.

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2:30 p.m.

A former executive assistant is suing the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, saying she had an affair with him and then was fired when she ended the relationship.

Kimberly V. Bracey alleges sexual harassment in the federal lawsuit filed Thursday. She says she had a consensual sexual relationship with Mayor Tony Yarber and was fired from her city job when she ended it.

The suit also says Yarber, who is married, made inappropriate sexual comments about other women.

Yarber did not immediately respond Thursday to The Associated Press’ request for an interview.