The former Madeira Beach city manager and his wife, who was the former city clerk, have reached resignation settlements.

  • Shane Crawford, Cheryl Crawford, reach settlements
  • Says they received death threats recently
  • Shane Crawford says new commission didn't want to work with them

Shane Crawford had been on suspension for more than a month. He said the newly elected commissioners and mayor planned to fire him for his development plans.

The mayor also didn't like the fact that Crawford was in a relationship with former city clerk Cheryl Crawford.

The commission agreed to pay the Crawfords $135,000, plus $10,000 in attorney fees.

The couple will also stay on as consultants for a few weeks.

"We loved it here," Shane Crawford said. "We wanted to come to work tomorrow. We never were afforded the ability to work with this new commission. The day they were sworn, in they made a motion to fire the city clerk. A month later, I'm gone."

Cheryl Crawford added, "I just feel bad for everybody who lives in the city. I live in the city as well, and it's just heartbreaking."

Last year, Shane Crawford was kicked out of the International City-County Management Association for having a relationship with Cheryl Crawford, who was his assistant at the time.

But Shane Crawford said the previous commission approved of his relationship before he went forward with it and it did not break any city rules.

He said they received death threats recently, and that made them want to settle and move on.