Former Gwinnett County Attorney Karen Thomas will receive a severance payout of nearly $188,000, which includes six months pay and accumulated vacation and sick time.
Thomas resigned May 13 rather than be terminated, according to documents in her personnel file.
“You have advised me that the Board of Commissioners has expressed their desire to make changes regarding my holding the position of county attorney,” Thomas wrote to County Administrator Glenn Stephens in a letter dated Feb. 18.
Thomas invoked a clause in her employment contract that allowed her to resign. Stephens extended her departure date, which was originally April 15, to facilitate the job transition.
Deputy County Attorney Van Stephens is serving as acting director of the law department, which Thomas led since 1998.
Thomas’ personnel file did not offer a reason why the board sought her removal.
County Commissioner Lynette Howard praised Thomas as an attorney, but said commissioners are “looking to try something a little different” in the law department. She would not elaborate, except to say it could involve a reorganization of the department.
Howard declined to say whether recent litigation -- including a series of lawsuits over a garbage collection plan that took effect last year -- played a role in the commission’s decision.
Thomas said her letter of resignation was self explanatory. She declined to comment further.
Under the terms off her employment contract, Thomas will receive $96,512 in pay and $91,219 in accumulated vacation and sick time, according to the county human resources department.
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