Former Decatur official told to repay $48,000 in retirement benefits

By The Associated Press
 
DECATUR, Ala. — Retirement Systems of Alabama is asking former Decatur building director Jimmy Brothers to repay more than $48,000 in retirement benefits.

Retirement Systems benefits director Bill Kelley sent a letter to Brothers last week saying that the state agency has reversed its position on his January retirement. It now says the departure was voluntary, contradicting the city's claims suggesting he was forced out.
Kelley says that as a result, the 57-year-old Brothers will have to repay the money or face suspension of his retirement benefits until RSA recovers the money.

The decision brings a possible end to months of controversy regarding two letters sent in December to RSA, one signed by Mayor Don Stanford, the other by Brothers, that appear to tell the state agency Stanford forced Brothers into retirement.