Groveland's city manager, who was placed on paid leave amid audit controversy, has returned to work with a police escort, according to the town's acting mayor.

In November, the Groveland City Council put City Manager Gwen Walker on paid leave until an audit was finished. It started over an accusation that she wrote a check for more than $3,000 in taxpayer money to an employee as a loan.

The audit was supposed to be finished, and Walker returned to work Thursday — but with a police escort that puzzled a few in the city.

"I think it’s really hurting her by showing up the way she did with a police escort. I mean, why did she feel she needed a police escort if she felt she was right?" acting City Mayor Karen McMican said.

Minutes from the City Council’s November meeting read, “Vice Mayor McMican moved to place Mrs. Walker on administrative leave until a forensic audit is completed with pay.”

The City Council has not yet met to discuss the findings of the audit, and there is disagreement about Walker's return to work.

"Even though the minutes say when the audit is complete, in my mind, I don’t think the audit has been completed until the council can sit down to review it and make any corrections," McMican said.

"What was in writing was Ms. McMican made the motion to put her on administrative leave until the audit was completed. That’s what Ms. McMican made. That’s what the council directed, and that’s what the city attorney gave an opinion on yesterday, which again opened the door for Mrs. Walker to come in today," Council Member Mike Radzik said Thursday.

News 13 tried to talk with Walker directly at City Hall but was told she was not going to be available for interviews.

When asked about moving forward, Radzik responded, "Take a deep breath. Hope that the dust settles. Talk sensibly among ourselves and realize that we need to do what’s in the best interests of the city."

Also on Thursday, interim city manager Rodney Lucas was let go. Radzik explained Lucas was not fired for performance but because there was no funding for his position in the budget.

McMican is the acting mayor because the newly elected mayor of Groveland cannot hold office. Earlier this month, a judge blocked the City of Groveland from recognizing George Rosario as mayor of the city following a lawsuit by Rosario's election opponent, who claims he was not qualified to run for office because of prior felony convictions from another state.

The next Groveland City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 6.