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JEA chairwoman resigns hours after firing of CEO Aaron Zahn

Zahn's contract called for $842,925 in payments in the event of termination without cause.

The chairwoman for JEA Board of Directors has resigned hours after the firing of the utility company's CEO Tuesday morning, according to our news partners, the Florida Times-Union.

"I will attend my resignation to Mayor Curry," April Green told the Times Union. "If he wants me to stay on for an interim period, I will do that."

During Tuesday's meeting, Green and the other members of the board voted unanimously to fire Aaron Zahn with cause based on evidence found by the Office of General Counsel. 

The general counsel said its investigation into Zahn revealed evidence supporting his termination. In fact, the counsel listed 24 examples found within the investigation, including gross negligence and willful misconduct over the potential sale of JEA and how some employees would be paid bonuses if the sale went through as planned. 

Lenny Curry released the following statement:

"I asked our Office of General Counsel for a thorough review and investigation into this matter so that the JEA board would have all of the facts necessary to make its decision. The JEA Board of Directors consists of dedicated leaders in our community ho volunteer their time and expertise. I have always maintained my faith and confidence in the board and stand behind the decision today."

Zahn's attorney, John Mullen, released a statement, saying he Zahn was "disappointed" in Tuesday's outcome.

"In the last month, Mr. Zahn has made every effort to cooperate and find an amicable separation in the best interest of JEA, the community and his family," Mullen said. "We are surprised at the unprecedented level of political and media interference in business matters of JEA.  We expect the results from a full hearing of the facts in front of an impartial arbitrator to be starkly different."

Because he will be fired with cause, Zahn is missing out on his severance package of around $842,000, which his contract called for in the event of termination without cause. This amount would have fallen on taxpayers.

Zahn was put on paid administrative leave in Dec. 17. During his leave, JEA officials said Zahn was paid $48,036.48: $42,031.92 in administrative leave and $6,004.56 in holiday pay. 

RELATED: JEA CEO placed on paid administrative leave as counsel negotiates terms of his termination

This is a developing story. Stay with First Coast News as this story develops.

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