Dallas City Attorney Chris Caso could receive a massive “separation payment” from the City after he leaves his position.
Caso announced his retirement on January 19 — a week before his scheduled performance review — in an email to the mayor and city council, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
“I will be retiring from the City on February 28 to spend more time with my family and pursue other interests,” Caso wrote. “I have greatly enjoyed my 17+ years with the City and look forward to embarking on the next chapter in my life.”
Caso could be owed six months’ salary — $162,500 — after he retires. However, the circumstances of his retirement do not make it immediately clear whether he is eligible for the payout.
“In the event of his involuntary separation,” the contract reads, “Christopher J. Caso shall be entitled to receive a separation payment of six (6) months of salary, payable in bi-weekly increments at the base pay rate in effect at the time of separation.”
The contract says that “involuntary separation” includes (a) removal from the office by the city council, (b) Caso’s resignation following the refusal of the City to comply with another provision in the contract, (c) Caso’s resignation based on a professional or ethical conflict that results in him no longer being able to represent the City as its attorney, and (d) Caso’s resignation following a formal or informal suggestion by a majority of the city council.”
Caso resigned shortly before his next scheduled performance review, but that review had already been delayed twice. Council members did not publicly say why Caso’s evaluation was repeatedly delayed.
Jennifer Brown with the City’s public information office told The Dallas Express that “the City Attorney’s Office is not commenting publicly on this personnel matter.”
Caso’s performance review still appeared on the agenda for Wednesday’s council meeting but was skipped. City Secretary Bilierae Johnson simply said the item “does not require any action.”
Caso himself was not in attendance at the meeting. He reportedly emailed city officials, including the mayor and council members, on Monday, saying he would be out on medical leave until February 27 — the day before he officially retires.
During Wednesday’s meeting, the council met in a closed executive session to discuss the selection of an interim city attorney and unanimously appointed First Assistant City Attorney Tammy Palomino — the city attorney office’s chief of general counsel who served directly under Caso.
Palomino will serve as interim city attorney until the City Council appoints someone to serve in a more permanent capacity. She will receive a salary of $303,848, as approved by the council.
As city attorney, Chris Caso earned an annual salary of $325,000. He was the third-highest-paid City employee, behind only City Manager T.C. Broadnax, who makes $423,000 per year, and Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer of the Employees’ Retirement Fund Cheryl Alston, who makes $351,000 annually.
Caso’s resignation comes as the City is embroiled in multiple legal battles involving challenges to its attempt to shut down poker clubs, limit the operating hours of strip clubs, and prohibit vagrants from standing on medians.