Wharton Stops Resignations in General Services Dept.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis Mayor A C Wharton is temporarily putting the lid on employees turning in their resignations in an effort to avoid future termination.

Wharton's decree comes in the wake of a trio of resignations turned in by managers in the embattled General Services Department.

Former Fleet Services Administrator Arthur Adams announced his retirement last month after he was charged with a DUI while driving a city vehicle off-duty.

And last week Fleet Services Manager John Love as well as Vehicle Support Services Manager Annette Clay chose to voluntarily step down.

Given the trio's possible involvement in the current FBI and city investigations into the operations of General Services, Wharton said there should be no perceived "easy way out."

"I don't think anybody that's done wrong should be able to minimize the consequences by simply saying, you got me. I quit. It's not that we want to be overly punitive. But, there's a think called accountability and nobody should escape accountability," said Wharton.

Wharton also said any retirement celebrations for Love or Clay should be held outside City Hall and on employees' personal time.