RIPTA to pay former CEO Odimgbe $130,000 settlement

By Bruce Landis

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will pay $130,000 in a settlement to the agency's former chief executive officer, Charles I. Odimgbe, according to an agreement signed by Odimgbe and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, the RIPTA board chairman.

In return, Odimgbe promised not to sue the authority nor to file actions against it under civil rights or "whistleblower" laws, and also agreed not to criticize the authority or say anything that would damage its reputation.

The settlement makes Dec. 27, 2012, Odimgbe's last day of work. He took over as head of the agency in 2010. He has been on paid leave from his job since August.