Outgoing Mobile Commissioner Gets Back Pay

By Steve Alexander Reporter

Juan Chastang getting $95,000 in back pay and salary. Outgoing Mobile Commissioner Gets Back Pay

Published: Thu, September 18, 2008 - 8:42 pm Last Updated: Thu, September 18, 2008 - 9:31 pm

Steve Alexander

Mobile County Commissioner Juan Chastang will leave office at the end of the day Friday with $95,000 in salary and back pay.
Chastang, a Republican, announced Thursday he was resigning.
A federal court removed Chastang from his District One commission seat in May 2007.
But the U.S. Supreme Court reversed that decision and Chastang accepted reappointment to the seat late last month.
Thursday, Chastang announced he was stepping down after what was to be 23 days on the job.
Chastang said, "A lot of things happened in my life since I had left the commission back in April of last year, so it was important for me to continue those things that I had and let the county move on."
The salary of a Mobile County Commissioner is just over $79,000.
The attorney for Mobile County says the county worked out a settlement with Chastang where he will get $90,000 in back pay, and $5,000 in salary for working in office those 23 days.
That's a total of $95,000.
When asked if he returned to office just to get the money, Chastang said, "I came back to see this lawsuit through. Again, this lawsuit cost a lot of money and I want to be there in partnership with the governor. It's important to him: it (the case) went to the United States Supreme Court."
Thursday afternoon, News Five asked people shopping at a Wal-Mart store in Chastang's district what they thought of the settlement.
Janishi Gordon said, "That sounds like its too much. I mean, is it really worth it?"
Jerry Todd said, "Yeah, it sounds like a whole lot for back pay. I don't agree with a lot of things and that's one of them."
But another person said, "I'm glad that they're treating him (Chastang) right and giving him a good amount of money."
The remaining commissioners, Republicans Steve Nodine and Mike Dean, said Chastang served with character and dignity and that they'll work with people in District One to take care of what they need.
Democrat Merceria Ludgood is running unopposed for the District One commission seat.
She's scheduled to take office after the November 4 election.