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Ex-Lawrence mayor takes job with city of Indianapolis

Posted at 10:45 AM, Aug 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-11 10:47:36-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former city of Lawrence mayor Dean Jessup has a new job with the City of Indianapolis.

Jessup was hired on July 25 as an illegal dumping environmental inspector under the city’s new Department of Business and Neighborhood Services division.

He will earn a $30,021 salary.

Jessup, a Democrat, served as the mayor of Lawrence from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015 earning a $76,500 salary.

He was ousted from his Lawrence post by current Republican mayor Steve Collier.

Jessup and his administration have faced scrutiny for mismanagement and overspending during their tenure.

PREVIOUS | State audit questions former Lawrence mayor's management, overspending

According to a report released from the Indiana State Board of Accounts, the city of Lawrence failed to reconcile bank statements, spent money it didn't have and failed to deposit fees in a timely manner.

The state audit, which covers the period of 2013-2014, highlighted fundamental failings of the Jessup administration's handling of city finances.

The report also said the former mayor, over that two-year period, overspent 11 different line-item budget categories by nearly $6 million.

Call 6 Investigates was unable to reach Jessup for comment on his new position with the City of Indianapolis.