CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — One of Charlotte's City Council members is calling for an investigation into their closed session meetings.
Members met Tuesday night for the first time since Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johhny Jennings announced his retirement. That followed his controversial legal settlement of the city, which is under state investigation.
Much of the Charlotte City Council's recent drama went under the radar at Tuesday night's meeting until right before members were planning to go into closed session. Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield brought up her concerns about information being leaked from those meetings, which are supposed to be private.
"Quite a few of those meetings honestly before we even leave the meeting, the info has been shared with the media which is in direct opposition with one of the oaths we take but also legislative policy," said Mayfield.
The councilwoman is asking the city attorney's office to look into who may be sharing confidential details about council conversations that go on behind closed doors.
"Can there be language to say no cell phones, no smartphones, no nothing in our closed session so that we can have a meeting that doesn't have to be reported to the media immediately afterward," she said.
Mayfield's calls for action come as North Carolina's state auditor is investigating a $305,000 settlement between CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings and the city. The council originally wouldn't comment on it because it was agreed on in a closed session, but the details quickly made headlines.
MORE | State auditor launches investigation into reported settlement to CMPD Chief Jennings
Jennings reportedly threatened to sue the city over threatening texts sent by former Councilmember Tariq Bokhari over whether officers should wear outer carrier vests.
The chief released details of his settlement on Sunday, saying there were too many assumptions about the agreement.
"Is there a space for your office and/or the manager's office to do an investigation so that we on the council can have full transparency if there is a member or members that is releasing information to the media when we are still in discussion," Mayfield asked Interim City Attorney Anthony Fox.
Fox said it would require the directive of this council for his office to investigate.
Mayfield wants a committee to look into the logistics of an investigation, but Mayor Vi Lyles suggested holding off.
"I think it would be good for the council to have some time to think it through because one of the things you said is how do we do it," she said. "I think that's worth some thoughtfulness."
This was also Councilwoman Tiawana Brown's first meeting since her federal indictment. When asked after the meeting ended if she wanted to talk, she said "the media has damaged" her and she "will never speak to the media ever again."
Brown is expected to hold a town hall meeting Wednesday night.
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