Cranston's personnel director resigns

CRANSTON, R.I. -- Personnel Director Susan Bello, who sued city officials last year, has resigned.

It's unclear what will happen next, said Carlos Lopez, Mayor Allan Fung's chief of staff.

The position is required by the city charter, he said. "Everything is fluid right now."

Bello sued city and school officials last year after they agreed to merge the city's personnel department with the school department's operation.

Bello argued the officials had no authority to eliminate her position as part of a consolidation plan.

A Superior Court judge later blocked officials from discharging Bello. The court case remains active, city lawyers said last week.

To date, the city has spent about $46,000 on the lawsuit, they said.