Former Springs Finance Director Wants $1 Million For Firing

The former Colorado Springs city finance director is threatening to sue the city over her July firing. In a claim filed this week, Terri Velasquez said she wants $1 million, plus legal fees, because she says was fired for exposing misuse of city funds and because of gender discrimination.

The claim states that Velasquez was targeted by city leaders because “she was a strong female and did not fit the stereotype of a weak and complaint female that (chief of staff Steve) Cox and perhaps the Mayor and others wanted.”

Before she was fired, Velasquez found some city employees were being overpaid and notified the city auditor. That included then fire chief Steve Cox, who was paid an extra $5,000. Cox has since paid the money back. Velasquez says she also found that a $2 million grant from the El Pomar foundation to the city wasn’t being used appropriately. She said there were other ethical issues and financial improprieties.

Velasquez said city leaders weren’t happy to hear about her concerns, and she was retaliated against and eventually fired.

City spokesperson Cindy Aubrey wouldn’t comment on the claim except to explain that the city now has the opportunity to investigate it and decide how to respond. A lawsuit can’t be filed until the city denies the claim or 90 days have passed.

In a statement, Velasquez says she wants to work this out with city and avoid a lawsuit. She says she wants her old job back, and that the money she’s asking for would be a lot less if that happens.