Michigan Gov. Whitmer's ex-health director got $155K separation agreement

[TexasTowelie]

LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration paid former Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon $155,506 as part of a separation agreement that prohibits him from discussing his departure.

Gordon and Mark Totten, chief legal counsel for the Democratic governor, both signed the agreement Feb. 22, exactly one month after the health director abruptly resigned his post in a move he first publicly announced on Twitter.

“In the interest of protecting deliberations among government officials, the parties agree to maintain confidentiality regarding (Gordon’s) departure from employment unless required by law to release such information,” reads the agreement, first reported Monday by The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.

While confidentiality clauses and employee separation agreements are common in private industry, health department spokesperson Bob Wheaton said the document “speaks for itself” when asked by Bridge Michigan how often the state includes similar deals for departing employees.

Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-gov-whitmers-ex-health-director-got-155k-separation-agreement

[MichMan]

1. Whitmer admitted he resigned voluntarily

Why is he entitled to 9 months pay for quitting?

Giveaway of taxpayer money?

[llmart]

2. I really haven't followed this story much but...

saw a blurb about it on the local news tonight. If he had a legal employment contract and there was verbiage in it that stated he would get money upon leaving, it really depends on how the employment document was written. I was in a lower level public administrative job than this guy but I had a legal employment contract which actually allowed me to leave and still receive some of my benefits and compensation.