Jun 14, 2007 2:19 pm US/Central
Murphy City Manager Quits, Gets $255K Severance
Official Who OK'D Sex Sting To Resign
(CBS 11 News)
The Murphy City Council emerged from a closed door executive session about 1 a.m. Thursday and announced City Manager Craig Sherwood would resign.
Sherwood authorized the city's participation in an internet sex sting operation with an organization called Perverted Justice and Dateline NBC.
The sting conducted last year lured men seeking sex with children to a house in Murphy.
Many residents were upset officials allowed the undercover operation to occur in their community.
Although 23 people were arrested, the Collin County district attorney said he won't prosecute those cases because they don't meet his evidentiary standards. The people could still face federal charges.
But Police Chief Billy Myrick is talking with the US Attorney's Office about prosecuting the cases in federal court.
"The new council, as well as the mayor were very much against the sting. I think that has everything to do with that situation not with the past three years," said Michelle Long, a former Murphy City Council member.
"I don't think it's fair to judge a person on one situation. (You should) look at the overall production and stability they brought to the city."
Sherwood called the spilt amicable.
He will leave with a $255,000 severance package and insurance benefits for a year or until he finds another job.
City records indicate Sherwood's salary was $121,000 per year and included a $700 a month car allowance.
In a city news release, Sherwood thanked Murphy residents and the three versions of City Council he has worked with during the past five years.
"I want to make it clear that it was my decision to bring this forward to the Mayor and City Council and ask them to consider this at this time. I am very grateful for the three City Councils that I have worked for during my five years in Murphy. The City has a very dedicated and hard working staff and I feel the City will benefit with a new leader that can hopefully unite the City and take it to the next level," Sherwood said in the prepared statement.
In that same release, the city statement was:
"We are deeply grateful for his hard work and service. He has benefited the City in many ways. Mr. Sherwood has agreed to help the City through this transition process. We feel that this action is best for Mr. Sherwood and the City. We hope the citizens of Murphy will come together, support us in this decision, and help us move forward as a community."
In addition to the contract buyout, Sherwood be able to work as a consultant at $75 per hour, up to another $25,000 total for the year.
His last day will be July 5.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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