(WXYZ) – Turkia Mullin’s firing comes after a month of controversy about one of Wayne County’s most powerful women. And while Mullin may now be out of a job – she could have much bigger problems on the horizon.
“Fire me if I haven’t earned it!” That’s what Mullin said earlier on when this controversy was brewing.
But ever since Turkia Mullin took over as CEO for Detroit Metro Airport – her credentials and her judgment have been questioned.
She had no experience running airports, but Mullin beat out five other candidates for the Airport CEO job. Four of the candidates did have airport experience. Mullin’s former boss – Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano — appoints four of the seven Airport Authority Board members who chose Mullin.
http://www.wxyz.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=12740And the search company used to find the new airport boss has ties to one of Mullin’s failed county real estate deals – the Pinnacle racetrack.
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While many questioned how and why she got the airport job – the biggest public controversy was Mullin’s golden parachute courtesy of the taxpayers.
When Mullin voluntarily resigned as Wayne County Economic Development Director to take the $250,000 a year airport gig – she left with $200,000 in severance.
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Mullin’s ties to a controversial non-profit also has many people asking questions – including the FBI . As the 7 Action News Investigators were the first to report a year ago – Mullin was the Executive Director of the Wayne County Business Development Corporation, also known as EDGE Opportunities.
“When you start seeing the same names on the airport authority that votes to hire her as CEO there, the same names appear on the EDGE board.. these are the same names that pop up in county government or on the periphery of county government all along. It becomes a pretty, too cozy relationship,” said Wayne Co. Commission Chairman Gary Woronchak.
Mullin’s connections couldn’t save her from the severance scandal. Last week, Ficano — who once defended her – turned on her, issuing this statement, saying:
Turkia Mullin is very talented and resourceful, but unfortunately the situation she finds herself in has become an obvious distraction that will continue into the foreseeable future. I am disheartened that the promise the board saw in her has diminished.
My vision for Aerotropolis has always been to have a strong leader at the helm. I believe under the current situation this has been compromised. When the Board meets next week they should proceed with what is best for the continued success of the airport and this region.
The FBI has subpoenaed all the records at Wayne County relating to Mullin and the non-profit that she was in charge of. Mullin said she would fully cooperate.
Read Heather Catallo’s entire report on WXYZ
