BELL GARDENS : City Told to Pay Former Manager Nearly $300,000
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A Norwalk Superior Court judge this week ordered the city of Bell Gardens to pay former City Manager Claude L. Booker close to $300,000, ruling that the city is obligated to fulfill the terms of his three-year, $125,000-a-year contract.
Booker was fired in March when a new City Council took office after a recall of four council members. Booker’s contract called for the contract to be paid off upon termination. City officials instead offered one month’s severance pay. Booker declined, and sued the city for breach of contract.
Judge Daniel Solis Pratt agreed that city officials had a right to fire Booker, but said they must uphold severance provisions stipulated in his contract.
In addition to $266,000 in salary compensation, Booker also receives $4,400 in retirement compensation, plus 10% interest. City officials would not comment on a possible appeal.
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