SANFORD, Fla. —<br /><br />WFTV news found out the Sanford Airport police chief and Chief Financial Officer resigned and was given a big payout.<br /><br />Bryant Garrett wasn't contracted to receive a severance if he resigned, but he got six months salary to leave, which adds up to more than $60,000.<br /><br />Garrett told Channel 9’s Karla Ray that the airport’s Chief Executive Officer Larry Dale forced him to resign and gave him the big payout to prevent a lawsuit.<br /><br />WFTV asked Dale if he had the authority to pay out that much money in severance without board approval, but he didn’t comment.<br /><br />Eyewitness News obtained a separation agreement after Garrett resigned without notice in March.<br /><br />Over the next six months, he’ll receive more than $60,000.<br /><br />“It occurred on a Friday afternoon and on Monday, this was all done with. The board didn’t even hear about it,” said Seminolewatch.com blogger Jeffrey Frazier.<br /><br />According to a copy of Garrett’s contract, he is still receiving benefits and was allowed to keep his tax dollar-paid laptop and iPhone, at the sole signature of Dale.<br /><br />“I don’t believe he had a lawful authority to reach into the taxpayer’s pockets and give any person their money,” Frazier said.<br /><br />Ray went to Garrett’s home to ask why he resigned.<br /><br />He said that Dale forced him to resign and threatened to find a way to fire him if he didn’t.<br /><br />WFTV also learned Dale’s right-hand woman, administrative vice president Diane Crews, gained the title of director of finance.<br /><br />The new title puts her in line to take over Dale’s position when he retires.<br /><br />“Does Mr. Dale have this authority? This is not Mr. Dale’s airport. This is the taxpayers of the city of Sanford’s airport,” Frazier said.<br /><br />The expensive separation contract could end up costing taxpayers even more because Dale is considering signing a contract for a financial consultant.