Ports. official fired following audit

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) - Portsmouth's director of social services has been fired following an audit of the city's spending on an NFL player's speaking appearance.

City Councilman Steve Heretick tells The Virginian-Pilot that the city manager told the council he terminated Reynold "Rusty" Jordan Jr. on Thursday.

Jordan declined to comment. He says he's retained an attorney.

Jordan's department arranged a July appearance in the city by Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove. Hargrove came to Portsmouth to share his story about his troubled youth. The city's expenses totaled $40,000 and included accommodations, a banquet and Hargrove's speaking fees.

The audit found that the city's expenditure of public funds wasn't illegal. But it says staff at the Social Services Department violated normal contracting procedure.

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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com