Lansing Mayor Defends $160K Payout For Former City Attorney

LANSING (AP) - Lansing's mayor is defending his handling of a separation agreement with a former city attorney who left her job last month with payout of more than $160,000.

Mayor Virg Bernero offered a challenge to taxpayers who are frustrated with a lack of transparency over the agreement. He said his critics can vote against him when he's up for re-election next year.

Bernero signed a separation agreement with former City Attorney Janene McIntyre in which she received payments of about $127,500 and $33,000. Despite pressure from city officials and the public, Bernero and McIntyre have repeatedly declined to comment on why McIntyre left her job.