City Manager Harry Black misused funds, retaliated against Cincinnati police captain, suit alleges

City Manager Harry Black is running city purchases through a company his close friend owns, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday. Cincinnati Police Capt. Jeffrey L. Butler, who claims Black retaliated against him for a different issue, alleges the arrangement effectively requires the city to pay a 15-percent markup. Butler says it's just one example of what he calls Black's pattern of misusing funds and abusing power. The city manager dismissed the claims as frivolous, calling the lawsuit a personnel matter involving "an unhappy employee" who didn't get a promotion. Four members of Cincinnati City Council want Black to answer questions about Butler's suit at an upcoming public meeting.