Dee DeQuattro
ddequattro@abc6.com
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and CEO Charles Odimgbe
have parted ways.
"The
RIPTA Board of Directors and Mr. Charles Odimgbe have mutually agreed to end
their employment relationship. Mr. Odimgbe has served as the Chief
Executive Officer of RIPTA since December of 2010. On behalf of each
member of the Board and our entire organization, RIPTA wishes to acknowledge
the accomplishments that Mr. Odimgbe has achieved during his tenure as CEO, and
thanks him for his service to the Authority," said RIPTA Board
Chairman, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian.
As
part of the separation agreement between Odimgbe and RIPTA, RIPTA agreed to pay
Odimgbe a lump sum of $130,000 in severance. In addition RIPTA has agreed not
to contest Odimgbe's unemployment and to buy out his remaining sick and vacation
time.
Odimgbe
will be covered by RIPTA's health insurance until Sept. 2013 or he finds gainful
employment, whichever date comes first.
In
exchange Odimgbe agreed to not sue or file any complaints against the company under
Rhode Island whistle
blower laws.
Per
the agreement, Odimgbe's last day with the company was Dec. 27 2012.
Odimgbe
has been on paid administrative leave since August 2010. He was placed on leave
during a criminal investigation of a security breach involving the room where RIPTA
keeps its cash fares. Avedisian said Odimgbe's departure is not related to the matter.
RIPTA
is a quasi-public agency that operates on a $100 million plus budget. For fiscal
year 2013 the company has a $1.3 million deficit.
