After weeks of secrecy, city leaders have finally provided some answers about the settlement made in closed session with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings.
As it turns out, the settlement was more than just a settlement. The city is referring to it as a “separation agreement” with a total payment of $305,000 — which included a $175,000 severance payment, a retroactive pay increase, a bonus, additional vacation days and reimbursement of legal fees. Upon disclosing the terms of the agreement, Jennings announced he would retire as police chief at the end of the year. The agreement will also increase his pension by thousands of dollars per year.
The city seems to think that providing the details of the settlement itself is enough. But those answers have only sparked more questions, and much about the situation remains unknown…