A Wayne County Commissioner says he was unaware of a six-figure severance deal given to the new head of Detroit Metro Airport.
Turkia Mullin left her $200,000-a-year job as Wayne County’s economic developer so she could run the airport for $250,000 annually.
She also got a $200,000 severance check.
Bernard Parker is a Wayne County Commissioner who’s also a member of the airport authority.
Parker says Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano chose Mullin. Parker says he didn’t know about the severance deal.
“This is the first time we have ever heard of a staff person having a contract," Parker says. "Now, their appointment comes to us that we have to approve, so he sent to us a letter and said he wants to put her into the position, and this is her salary."
In published reports, Mullin has defended the severance payment and says she’s being paid what she’s worth.
Mullin had no prior airport management experience.
