Documents obtained by Fox 47 News show $127,000 of former Lansing City Attorney Janene McIntyre's separation pay last month came from the Claims and Judgements Fund.
The other $33,000 came out of the fringe benefits fund under her final leave payments.
"This is not the administration's money, this is our money," said city council woman Jody Washington Wednesday.
She thinks McIntyre shouldn't have gotten that big of a pay out, especially without council's permission.
"They made certain that they knew nothing about it until it was signed and she was gone," Washington said.
She and city council woman Carol Wood aren't giving up on their questions for the mayor.
"We want to know why the city entered into a separation agreement with Ms. McIntyre," Wood said.
The claims and judgements fund is usually used for paying of lawsuit settlements and judgements from the court, according to Wood.
"It leads me to wonder, when it's out of this particular account, does that mean that there was the potential of a lawsuit that council has not been informed of?" Wood said.
She also tells Fox 47 News, because it's under the general fund, the mayor had the discretion to use the money, but, "is this a way to get around not having to come to council to ask for money?" she said.
But she and Washington agree, taxpayers should have been warned.
"I find the deception, and the secrecy and the blatant disregard disturbing at best," Washington said.
We'll be tracking this story and let you know when we have an update.
