The News & Observer reports that Smithfield town clerk Debbie Godwin has resigned. She’s the town employee who received an unauthorized pay raise of nearly 30 percent from now-fired town manager Eric Williams. Turns out Godwin also cashed in vacation time for a $30,000 payout. Now, she’s gone and the story indicates she’s talking to officials about the financial shenanigans.
Interim Town Manager C.L. Gobble said Godwin’s lawyer sought early retirement for his client. But Godwin, 45, is not old enough to begin receiving retirement benefits.
In an agreement with Godwin, the town said it would not contest her application for jobless benefits. Godwin, in turn, said she would continue to cooperate with the investigation. The Town Council voted 5-1 to approve the agreement.
Godwin and the town also agreed not to make “any disparaging statements about the other,” and Godwin agreed not to join any lawsuits against the town.
If Williams sues the town, “we want Debbie to be prepared to be a friendly witness,” Gobble said.
Williams declined to comment.
