The Kansas University Alumni Association says it doesn’t owe Fred Williams anything but good riddance.

Williams, who had the association’s top post for 21 years, was fired in May. He has since sued the association for more than $2.2 million, saying his firing was abrupt and unwarranted.

The alumni association filed its response to the lawsuit Tuesday, arguing Williams had been told he was on thin ice with the board and that he had been warned to “cease his negative conduct” toward KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway and other university officials.

The association also accused Williams of:

• Disregarding admonitions that he not retaliate against employees he suspected of being “whistleblowers.”
• Failing to properly supervise employees.
• Failing to address activities contributing to low morale among employees.

The filing implies Williams gave favored employees pay raises without first gaining board approval.

The association denied Williams’ claim that it was one of the nation’s “most successful” alumni groups at the time he was fired. Instead, it argued that its accomplishments were in spite of, not due to, Williams’ leadership.

Other arguments contained in the association’s filings:

Williams suing KU Alumni Association (08-27-04) Organization searching for director (08-14-04)

• Though its latest employment contract with Williams was signed in 1998 by then-board chairman Cordell Meeks, it had not been approved beforehand by the full board, making it invalid.
• Valid or invalid, the contract says disputes between Williams and the association will be resolved in private arbitration rather than a public courtroom.
• Williams’ behavior put the association “at risk of legal liability and financial jeopardy.”

According to the filings, the board spent two days considering whether to fire Williams. The final vote was by an “overwhelming majority (more than 75 percent).”

Both the alumni association and its attorneys declined comment Tuesday.

Williams’ attorney, Roger Stanton, said he had not seen the association’s response.

“I’ll say this: Stay tuned,” Stanton said.

The association is represented by two Kansas City, Mo., law firms: Shughart Thomson & Kilroy and Stinson Morrison Hecker.

At the time of his firing, Williams was paid $200,000 a year. His benefit package included health, life and liability insurance, a car, country club and organization memberships, and KU sports tickets. His contract was to expire in June 2008

In his lawsuit, Williams is seeking:

• $961,678.21 in salary and projected raises.
• $490,395.38 in benefits through June 2008.
• $778,200.48 in salary and benefits he sas are covered by the contract’s wrongful-termination clause.
• More than $75,000 for defamation of character.

The association has asked the court to order Williams to explain and quantify his defamation-of-character losses.

Del Shankel, a longtime KU faculty member and administrator, is serving as interim president and CEO of the association while a national search is conducted.

The Alumni Association, an independent affiliate of KU, has more than 47,000 members. Its annual operating budget is $4 million.