BRADBURY : Former City Manager Sued Over Expenses

The city has filed suit against former City Manager Aurora (Dolly) Vollaire, seeking at least $84,000 in restitution for money she allegedly misspent over the past decade.

Vollaire, who was city manager for 20 years and also served as city clerk, planning director and finance director, was fired in April after a city investigation found that she spent taxpayer money on personal luxuries. A criminal investigation is pending.

The lawsuit, filed in Pasadena Superior Court, alleges that Vollaire spent city money from the petty cash account, her credit card account and several other city accounts for personal purchases beginning in 1983, altering city documents and lying to city officials to cover up her actions.

In addition to at least $84,000 in restitution, the suit seeks interest estimated at more than $25,000, unspecified punitive damages and legal costs.

Vollaire’s attorney, Rayford Fountain, said he made a settlement offer that the city rejected several months ago. He would not disclose the amount.

“Other than our agreement that they may have a lien against her retirement funds, which we’ve already agreed to, we would object to the city trying to tie up any more of her assets,” Fountain said. The city has a lien on Vollaire’s $83,000 retirement account.

Fountain also said he took exception to the estimated interest the suit calls for. “I think that’s grossly inflated,” he said.