Lawsuit fear led to Port of Port Angeles deal

Published 11:41 am Friday, June 28, 2013

PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles port commissioner says the unusual resignation and rehiring of the executive director was a move to avoid a lawsuit.

Commissioner John Calhoun told the Peninsula Daily News the relationship between executive director Jeff Robb and some members of the port’s senior staff was dysfunctional and had deteriorated to the point it could have resulted in a lawsuit.

Robb resigned Monday for health issues then signed a one-year contract at the same $138,000 annual salary for the newly created job of environmental affairs director.

Commissioner Jim Hallett cast the only vote against the job shuffle, calling it a sweetheart deal to give Robb 30 years of government service so he could retire next year with full benefits.

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Information from: Peninsula Daily News, http://www.peninsuladailynews.com