Tim Newman resigned from a top position in Charlotte's Regional Visitors Authority in February, but he was still collecting a paycheck coming from taxpayer dollars.

Newman served as the CEO of the CRVA until December, when he was replaced by current CEO, Tom Murray. He moved to a top sales position and resigned Feb. 24 but was still getting paid as of April 27.

Eyewitness News spent weeks investigating Newman's contract and his salary, and took the findings to city leaders.

Some were surprised to hear it.

Charlotte City Councilman Michael Barnes said he thought Newman’s paychecks would no longer be cut once he left the agency.

"I have questions why," City Councilwoman Claire Fallon said. "I would like to know what's going on."

Newman was criticized for spending thousands on clients for items like tickets to Quail Hollow and Yankees games as well as expensive dinners.

In the months before he stepped down, City Council withheld the $10 million CRVA receives in hotel/motel and food and beverage taxes every year until the organization made policy changes, pledging to be more transparent.

However, after stepping down, Newman continued to be paid.

CRVA's attorney, Cameron Furr, confirmed he was paid $9,461.54 every two weeks up to at least April 22 -- receiving the paycheck for his most recent pay period on Friday.

But Furr would not say what the check was for. 

However, Furr did say he received $694.58 in March and April on top of those payments for a car allowance.

It all adds up to $39,235.32 -- essentially the same salary he was receiving when he was working for CRVA.

Requests for information on how much longer Newman would be paid and how much money he would make were not answered by CRVA officials.

But Furr said according to his interpretation of public records laws, they are only allowed to reveal what Newman has been paid, not what they've agreed to pay him in the future.

WSOC's attorneys said that all forms of compensation must be disclosed because of a 2010 statute, G.S. 160A-168: Privacy of Employee Personnel Records.

The station's attorneys said according to that statute, CRVA is required to tell the public not only the amount but what the authority is paying Newman for, and that the law also states that records of any agreement of employment are public record, including any severance deals.

Barnes said he's working with city staff to find out why Newman is still being paid.

"For this issue to be out here essentially raises new questions regarding fiscal accountability," he said.