(The Center Square) – Disclosure of how it used one-quarter of a million dollars in taxpayer money to prevent a police chief from filing a lawsuit against the nation’s 14th largest city because of a councilman’s comments on bulletproof vests was not transparent and has been fleshed out by the state auditor.
“This is the people’s money, and it shouldn’t be kept behind closed doors,” said first-term Republican Auditor Dave Boliek. “Our report brought transparency to the city of Charlotte. However, as shown in the mayor’s response, City leadership doesn’t share our interest in being open and transparent about spending the people’s money.”
Democratic fourth-term Mayor Vi Lyles’ response to the auditor’s report and recommendations said the settlement was considered personnel information, and thus not for public consumption. She said the release of closed session minutes quarterly will continue and be added to agendas “for public inspection.” She also said the city would revisit settlement-related costs and funds from which they are to be paid.
When former Police Chief Johnny Jennings said his officers looked too much like the military if wearing outer carrier vests, Councilman Tariq Bokhari told him in summer of 2024 via text messages he had made a mistake and promised to “cripple his legacy.” In May, in closed session that was not unsealed upon final execution, the City Council forked over $305,000 so Jennings would not sue.
Bokhari was confirmed as deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in March. Five days after first-term Republican Auditor Dave Boliek announced a probe into the settlement, Jennings resigned. Bokhari resigned the week after Labor Day, returning to focus on family and business.
In the settlement, Jennings got $175,000 from the general fund in severance pay; $45,699 from the general fund in retention bonus; $45,284 from the general fund as the value of vacation days; $25,000 from the Risk Management Fund in legal fees; and $14,017 from the general fund in retroactive pay increase.
