Charlotte will pay up to $300 an hour for investigation after ‘unethical’ comments
The City of Charlotte will pay up to $300 an hour for “investigative services” from an outside attorney, according to an agreement signed by a city representative earlier this month.
The hire follows statements from Councilwoman Victoria Watlington accusing the city of unethical behavior, but the agreement did not refer to Watlington’s comments or provide an explanation for the services.
Patrick Flanagan, an attorney with the Cranfill Sumner law firm, will conduct the investigation for a maximum of $25,000, according to the agreement. That cost does not include additional out-of-pocket expenses such as filing or recording fees, court fees and research services that will be billed to the city.
Deputy City Attorney Lina James signed on behalf of the city on July 8.
WFAE reported Falanagan will interview council members about Watlington’s criticisms, which stemmed from her frustration over how the city handled a separation agreement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings. Council voted in closed session to pay Jennings $305,000 in May, reportedly to avoid a lawsuit over comments from former Council member Tariq Bokhari.
Watlington, an at-large Democrat, issued a statement from her campaign email shortly after council approved the separation agreement in private.
“I’m extremely concerned with the level of unethical, immoral, and frankly, illegal activities occurring within City government,” the email states.
Her comments earned the ire of Mayor Vi Lyles and several council members, who held a press conference the next day to address the allegations. Interim City Attorney Anthony Fox pledged to conduct an investigation into the matter.
Watlington and Fox exchanged emails in which she said Fox shouldn’t lead the investigation because he would be investigating himself, WFAE reported.
Council again met in closed session June 30 to discuss Watlington’s comments and whether to hire an outside attorney. Falanagan’s agreement letter to the city is dated July 1 — one day after that meeting.
