WINDOM -- The Windom City Council voted to accept the resignation of Economic Development Authority (EDA) Executive Director James King after a closed session Tuesday night.
King, 65, was placed on administrative leave Jan. 6 after 23 felony swindle counts involving approximately $1,400 worth of questionable expense reports were brought against him.
According to Windom City Attorney Dan McDonald, King will receive benefits like any other retiring employee, meaning he will be compensated for unused vacation days and accumulated sick time.
"Basically, he resigned, and they accepted it," McDonald said. "There is no severance agreement -- no money given as a result."
The letter of resignation from King was short -- only two sentences announcing his resignation, McDonald said.
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The criminal investigation into King's activities continues.
King was originally scheduled for his first court appearance on Jan. 23, but a request to have Judge Bruce F. Gross removed from the case pushed it back to an as-yet-undetermined date.
According to King's attorney, Dan Birkholz of St. James, the decision to remove Gross from the case was prompted by a desire to have someone from outside the community preside.
"When you have prominent people in the community, it makes it difficult to be involved," Birkholz said. "This is a small town. (King) is a public figure and active in the community."
According to information on the Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS), a contested omnibus for King is scheduled for March 8 with Judge Jeffrey L. Flynn presiding.
