Ex-city manager wants city to pay expenses for Shriner clown events

Former Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett is asking the city of Biddeford to financially reimburse him for expenses he incurred while performing as a Shriner’s clown in June and July this year.

According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, Bennett is asking the city for a total of $798.92 in expense reimbursements, including an overnight hotel stay in Wilton and for mileage to and from the Yarmouth Clam Festival Parade.

Bennett routinely dresses as a clown named Ginjo as part of his support for Kora Temple Shriners.

Bennett is currently in the midst of a lawsuit he filed against the city earlier this year.

City Attorney Harry Center told the Gazette that the city has no plans to reimburse Bennett for those expenses.

Bennett was hired as Biddeford’s city manager in June 2015. His management style became a subject of community controversy over the last two years.

Bennett announced his resignation on October 14, describing it as phased “retirement,” despite the fact that he had more than a year remaining in his current contract.

Bennett publicly announced that he would step down in April.

On February 20, city officials booted Bennett from his office. City officials say they cannot comment about why Bennett was shown the door earlier than planned.

Although the Biddeford Gazette filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) asking for more details, Center said the city could not comment on personnel issues.

Earlier this year, Bennett filed a civil lawsuit in York County Superior Court against the city, claiming he is still owed salary.  The city responded with a counter claim, saying Bennett was in breach of his contract.

That case is still pending in court.

One Biddeford resident, who asked for anonymity, told the Gazette that she is “dumbfounded” by Bennett’s request to be reimbursed for activities that happened months after he was removed from office. “You simply cannot make this [stuff] up,” she said. “He wants me and other taxpayers to cover his expenses as a clown in another community? Unbelievable.”

Bennett told the Gazette: “It is not [a] reimbursement request.”

“My employment agreement required the city to pay for my civic and community activities,” Bennett said. “However, I never asked the city to pay for those costs. 

“Instead, I turned in any costs at on offset to my mileage stipend.  There is no truth to it being any additional cost to the city.”

Bennett has been a member of Kora Temple Shriners for nearly 40 years. Shriners operate hospitals and facilitate medical treatment for children with serious illnesses.

NOTE: This story was updated to include Mr. Bennett’s remarks.

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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com

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