State auditor investigates reported police settlement
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CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
Republican state auditor Dave Boliek is investigating the City of Charlotte for "the $100,000 to $300,000 in public dollars [that] may have been given" to police chief Johnny Jennings to avoid a potential lawsuit.
Why it matters: The city has not confirmed to the public how much money was paid or even whether a payment exists, as Boliek underscored in a letter sent Tuesday to Charlotte City Council.
- "Even if the payment was worth one penny, it should be disclosed to the public in a timely and transparent matter," Boliek wrote. "There is no tax dollar free from public scrutiny."
Catch up quick: According to multiple media reports, the council voted behind closed doors on May 5 to pay Jennings $300,000 so he would not take legal action against the city for comments former council member Tariq Bokhari made.
- In texts published by WFAE, Bokhari told Jennings he would call on the chief's resignation and work to "cripple" his legacy if he did not agree to let officers wear outer carrier vests.
- The city has not confirmed the settlement. Instead, officials — including interim City Attorney Anthony Fox and City Council member Malcolm Graham — have discussed investigating leaks of information to the media.
- Meanwhile, the Fraternal Order of Police is taking a no-confidence vote against Jennings, and fractures within council are being revealed.
What he's saying: "It is my understanding there is a possibility that as much as $100,000 to $300,000 in public dollars may have been given to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings for a legal settlement that may have been entered into by the City Council," Boliek wrote in his letter.
- Boliek continued, "This is only what has been gathered by the Auditor's Office from news reports, social media, and conversation. The truth of the matter remains unclear."
- The reported settlement may be higher than Jennings' yearly salary of just over $280,000.
- Boliek remarked that the mayor's office could quickly release information that answers some of the most pressing questions — "which I strongly encourage."
Per state law, the city can vote on settlements behind closed doors, but it must publicly share the terms "as soon as possible" after finalizing the deal, as the Charlotte Observer reported.
- However, the city has a poor track record of timeliness and transparency, from taking excessive time to fulfill public records requests to failing to publish city minutes.
- The settlement fiasco has revealed ruptures within the council. WSOC reported that one council member's vote was counted as a "yes" because they left the room without being formally excused. That brought the tally to six votes, just enough for the settlement to pass.