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DETROIT -- Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said Friday that he had accepted the resignations of his chief of staff, Shannon Holmes, and his communications chief, Karen Dumas.
The resignations come just days after a former mayoral staffer, Rochelle Collins, filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court claiming wrongful termination and suggesting backdoor dealings and an administration in chaos.
"The controversy of the last few days cannot, and will not, be a distraction to me or this administration," Bing said.
Bing said he did not ask Holmes to leave, but that she has chosen to pursue a different career opportunity.
"She will remain with the administration for the next two weeks to transition," Bing said.
His new chief of staff will be Kirk Lewis. He was Bing's liaison to state and federal governments until March.
Bing said a search would begin immediately for a new communications chief.
"I am returning the focus to where it belongs, one what I've done and what I will continue to do to address the challenges facing our city," Bing said. "I will remain focused on the task at hand and move forward."
Dumas responded by saying she's not leaving her position with any hard feelings.
"I think my departure will deter a lot of the unnecessary interest and turmoil, and allow the mayor to realize the stability he needs to move his agenda forward," she said.
During an interview on Thursday, Local 4 asked Dumas if she'd ever consider stepping down amid the allegations.
"I say that all the time, under any circumstances. I mean, if there's ever the time when my presence here is not beneficial to the administration, then I understand that," she said. "And I'm always willing to do that."
Dumas said she has no regrets during her time in the Mayor's Office.
"It's going to be OK for me. It's going to be OK for him. Again, I know that office and this administration needs stability," she said.
The lawsuit portrays the administration as one in which Dumas is actually the one in charge. Collins claims Dumas is the reason some top-level aides have left in the past year or so. It comes on the heels of the sudden resignation of Deputy Mayor Saul Green, a former U.S. attorney.
Dumas, the mayor and the city are all named in the suit, which seeks damages in excess of $25,000. It alleges breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violation of the whistle-blowers' protection act.
In an earlier written statement, Bing said Collins' claims are "self-serving."
The resignations come just days after a former mayoral staffer, Rochelle Collins, filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court claiming wrongful termination and suggesting backdoor dealings and an administration in chaos.
"The controversy of the last few days cannot, and will not, be a distraction to me or this administration," Bing said.
Bing said he did not ask Holmes to leave, but that she has chosen to pursue a different career opportunity.
"She will remain with the administration for the next two weeks to transition," Bing said.
His new chief of staff will be Kirk Lewis. He was Bing's liaison to state and federal governments until March.
Bing said a search would begin immediately for a new communications chief.
"I am returning the focus to where it belongs, one what I've done and what I will continue to do to address the challenges facing our city," Bing said. "I will remain focused on the task at hand and move forward."
Dumas responded by saying she's not leaving her position with any hard feelings.
"I think my departure will deter a lot of the unnecessary interest and turmoil, and allow the mayor to realize the stability he needs to move his agenda forward," she said.
During an interview on Thursday, Local 4 asked Dumas if she'd ever consider stepping down amid the allegations.
"I say that all the time, under any circumstances. I mean, if there's ever the time when my presence here is not beneficial to the administration, then I understand that," she said. "And I'm always willing to do that."
Dumas said she has no regrets during her time in the Mayor's Office.
"It's going to be OK for me. It's going to be OK for him. Again, I know that office and this administration needs stability," she said.
The lawsuit portrays the administration as one in which Dumas is actually the one in charge. Collins claims Dumas is the reason some top-level aides have left in the past year or so. It comes on the heels of the sudden resignation of Deputy Mayor Saul Green, a former U.S. attorney.
Dumas, the mayor and the city are all named in the suit, which seeks damages in excess of $25,000. It alleges breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violation of the whistle-blowers' protection act.
In an earlier written statement, Bing said Collins' claims are "self-serving."
