City Manager Fired for Breach of Contract
City Manager Ken Landau, the target of an investigation by the district attorney’s office who was placed on administrative leave in October, has been fired by the City Council for breach of contract.
The City Council, on a 4 to 0 vote Tuesday, decided to dismiss Landau, 42, without compensation after more than 20 years of service to the city. The council had initially offered Landau a $267,500 buyout, but withdrew that offer in November.
In addition, the City Council voted to hire interim City Manager Mitch Lansdell permanently. Lansdell has served as assistant city manager for the last 12 years.
“We’re in a financial crunch and it was time to stop the bleeding and settle Landau’s contract,” said Mayor Don Dear. “We decided he violated his contract and was not due any more money.”
Landau is being investigated by the district attorney’s office on allegations of inflating travel expenses and hiring a private detective to investigate city officials. The City Council has made it clear since Landau was placed on leave that they intended to terminate him.
Landau could not be reached for comment.
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