Calgary mayor's former chief of staff gets $104,000 in severance

Mayor Jyoti Gondek's former chief of staff received a six-figure severance when he was fired in February after fewer than 100 days on the job.

Stephen Carter was given $104,166.65 in severance, according to a Feb. 2 letter from Gondek to Carter obtained by Postmedia through freedom of information legislation.

The longtime political strategist ran Gondek's mayoral campaign last fall and was named the mayor's chief of staff as she entered office.

He was abruptly dismissed just more than three months later, and it later became known multiple city councillors had filed complaints against him.

In a statement Thursday, Carter said he was never given a reason for his firing. He suggested the city paid the severance in accordance with his contract to avoid legal action.

“My severance, in my opinion, was granted for two reasons: to ensure I was not vocal about the unjust nature of my dismissal and to avoid embarrassing litigation,” Carter said.

“Having said that, the severance was not conditional on forgoing litigation. If (aspersions) about me and my character continue, I may be pushed toward action in the courts.”

Speaking with Postmedia, Carter said he didn't sign any non-disclosure action with the city, nor any agreement that he wouldn't pursue litigation.

He didn't rule out that possibility, saying his “reputation continues to be dragged through the mud” following the dismissal.

A spokesperson with the mayor's office declined to comment on the severance pay, saying it's a personnel issue.

One councillor who had been critical of Carter was Ward 13 Coun. Dan Mclean, who told Postmedia in February he butted heads with Carter, adding, “To characterize him as a bully is correct.” Carter at the time denied those accusations of bullying, which were also brought forward to Postmedia by two senior city sources.

Mclean said Thursday he was “very shocked” to learn Carter received a severance package, saying his understanding was that the former chief of staff hadn't received any payout on his dismissal.

Mclean said Calgarians deserve an answer on why Carter was let go.

“What I'd like to see is more transparency here,” Mclean said.

“Why was he fired? It's a big question. It's always been kind of buried in, `it's a personnel matter,' or `we don't need to know.' But I think taxpayers have a right to know.

“It's taxpayer dollars, and I think it's pretty rich for three months on the job.”

Amie Blanchette took over as Gondek's chief of staff following Carter's dismissal.