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danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 10/16/2009) City attorney Elbert Jefferson has submitted a letter of resignation.
This is actually Jefferson's second letter, the first was refused by then mayor Willie Herenton.
The letter is somewhat confusing. In it he says he is resigning effective immediately; however, in the very next paragraph he tells Mayor Elect Wharton that he expects to return to work with the city on Monday October 19th.
Later in the letter he tells Wharton, "While I fully recognize that my employment with the City of Memphis is by virtue of appointment and not pursuant to any civil service provision, I would request that you consider my continues service to the City in some capacity which you may feel appropriate."
Jefferson has been under fire since mayor pro-tem Myron Lowery tried to remove him from office. Jefferson then took extended sick leave.
Elbert Jefferson's resignation letter isn't the only one he sent to city hall friday. Acting City Attorney Veronica Coleman-Davis got a letter from Jefferson, requesting the City of Memphis provide him legal representation in connection to the ouster suit against him.
"He wants the city to pay for his lawyer as it relates to the action that's been filed by Attorney General Bill Gibbons," said Memphis Chief Administrative Officer Jack Sammons.
Ironically, the ouster petition is a result of Jefferson approving $55,000 in city funds to pay for former Mayor Willie Herenton's personal legal fees.
Now that Jefferson has resigned effectively immediately the question is where does the ouster suit filed by District Attorney Bill Gibbons stand? Gibbons says the hearing on the matter set for Monday will still go on.
"I suspect they have one day in court. It's a civil matter. We're probably talking about not a lot of expenses but I'm not going to speak on whether its appropriate or not," said Sammons.
If for some reason the ouster suit still goes on, because Jefferson is asking for city funds, the Lowery administration can decide to pay the legal fees. Or they can wait 10 days and let the wharton administration take care of it.
Click the link to the left to read Jefferson's letters.
- City attorney Elbert Jefferson resigns
- Jefferson says he wants stay with the city
- Sends letter to acting City Attorney asking for legal representation
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 10/16/2009) City attorney Elbert Jefferson has submitted a letter of resignation.
This is actually Jefferson's second letter, the first was refused by then mayor Willie Herenton.
The letter is somewhat confusing. In it he says he is resigning effective immediately; however, in the very next paragraph he tells Mayor Elect Wharton that he expects to return to work with the city on Monday October 19th.
Later in the letter he tells Wharton, "While I fully recognize that my employment with the City of Memphis is by virtue of appointment and not pursuant to any civil service provision, I would request that you consider my continues service to the City in some capacity which you may feel appropriate."
Jefferson has been under fire since mayor pro-tem Myron Lowery tried to remove him from office. Jefferson then took extended sick leave.
Elbert Jefferson's resignation letter isn't the only one he sent to city hall friday. Acting City Attorney Veronica Coleman-Davis got a letter from Jefferson, requesting the City of Memphis provide him legal representation in connection to the ouster suit against him.
"He wants the city to pay for his lawyer as it relates to the action that's been filed by Attorney General Bill Gibbons," said Memphis Chief Administrative Officer Jack Sammons.
Ironically, the ouster petition is a result of Jefferson approving $55,000 in city funds to pay for former Mayor Willie Herenton's personal legal fees.
Now that Jefferson has resigned effectively immediately the question is where does the ouster suit filed by District Attorney Bill Gibbons stand? Gibbons says the hearing on the matter set for Monday will still go on.
"I suspect they have one day in court. It's a civil matter. We're probably talking about not a lot of expenses but I'm not going to speak on whether its appropriate or not," said Sammons.
If for some reason the ouster suit still goes on, because Jefferson is asking for city funds, the Lowery administration can decide to pay the legal fees. Or they can wait 10 days and let the wharton administration take care of it.
Click the link to the left to read Jefferson's letters.
