LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas state auditors say a former mayor of Searcy received nearly double the amount of retirement benefits to which she was entitled.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Belinda LaForce received $281,000 in benefits over a seven-year period but should have received only $141,000. LaForce was mayor from 2003 to 2010.
Auditors said the city didn’t follow state law when calculating the benefits. They suggested that the city retain a lawyer and figure out a way to resolve the overpayments.
One other former mayor was overpaid, but by a lesser amount, and another former mayor was underpaid.
In LaForce’s case, a car allowance was used to calculate payments due but shouldn’t have been, according to the state auditors. LaForce said she isn’t sure the auditors’ findings are correct.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.