John Shaw, the city manager of Ferguson, Missouri, who oversaw city agencies that the Department of Justice accused of systematically discriminating against African-American residents, has resigned. Shaw’s resignation was announced at a meeting of the Ferguson City Council Tuesday evening. The council voted 7-0 to approve a mutual separation agreement , according to a statement distributed at the meeting. Separation agreement from #Ferguson city manager John shaw pic.twitter.com/ZwGQQuGsnL March 11, 2015 A scathing Justice Department report last week accused Ferguson of using local police and courts to generate revenue instead of safeguarding citizens, a practice the investigators said fell heaviest on African-Americans. …
John Shaw, the city manager of Ferguson, Missouri, who oversaw city agencies that the Department of Justice accused of systematically discriminating against African-American residents, has resigned.
Shaw’s resignation was announced at a meeting of the Ferguson City Council Tuesday evening. The council voted 7-0 to approve a mutual separation agreement , according to a statement distributed at the meeting.
Separation agreement from #Ferguson city manager John shaw pic.twitter.com/ZwGQQuGsnL
— Mariah Randi Stewart (@MzzzMariah) March 11, 2015
A scathing Justice Department report last week accused Ferguson of using local police and courts to generate revenue instead of safeguarding citizens, a practice the investigators said fell heaviest on African-Americans. The Justice Department probe began after unrest in the wake of a Ferguson police officer’s killing of unarmed Michael Brown, 18, in August.
The report details numerous instances in which Shaw seemed thrilled that revenue from court fees and fines was rising. When Shaw was told that gross revenue for 2012 had exceeded $2 million for the first time, the report said he responded by saying, “Awesome! Thanks!”
Shaw, who had been city manager since 2007, said in a statement that he had worked to better Ferguson.
“I have done everything in my power to work with countless groups to bring about positive change and strengthen our community,” Shaw said. “Although I am stepping down from my role as city manager, as a resident of Ferguson, I stand ready to assist in any way I can to help for the community’s future.”
Shaw is the fifth person named in the Justice Department report to lose his job.
Ferguson Municipal Judge Ronald Brockmeyer, who allegedly turned Ferguson’s municipal court into a city cash cow, resigned Monday. Ferguson Municipal Court Clerk Mary Ann Twitty was fired last week over racist emails. In addition, two police department officials resigned last week, including one who supervised Darren Wilson, the officer who killed Michael Brown.
Ferguson’s city manager is appointed by city council to an indefinite term and supervises all city departments, including the police department. Shaw also was responsible for nominating the municipal judge appointed by city council vote.
Mariah Stewart contributed reporting.
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