NEWTON FALLS, Ohio - Anna Musson, finance director of Newton Falls for nearly five years, has been suspended for six months without pay by City Manager David Lynch. The suspension, which has not been publicly announced, went into effect June 13 and runs until December 11, according to a letter from Lynch to Musson released to 21 News following an email request for Musson's personnel file. The letter states that Musson, whose annual salary is $72,500, retains her medical benefits and remains on the payroll.

Lynch placed Musson on paid medical leave for undisclosed reasons on May 14. The suspension letter states "there were various requirements you were obligated to adhere to" without stating what those requirements were. "Because you did not adhere to some of these requirements, I am removing you from Medical Leave with Pay and placing you on Administrative Disciplinary Leave Without Pay for (six) months," Lynch's letter states adding that the "directives" given to Musson May 14 "remain in place." The city manager declined to identify or explain the directives to 21 News.

Those issues appear to be unrelated to the state of village finances since Musson's work in that area has drawn praise from Lynch as well as other members of city government. "Awards for transparency demonstrate that she has the capacity to properly manage the financial end of municipal government," Lynch told 21 News Wednesday.

What about the reasons for the suspension? "They have to do with employee/management issues and beyond that I have no further comment," the manager said.

Lynch confirmed that last April, the three members of the village finance department walked off their jobs in protest of Musson's management style, but returned several days later after the manager spoke with the employees and the finance director.

Musson, meanwhile, received some support from Newton Falls Mayor Ken Kline, who criticized Lynch for imposing the medical leave in May. Kline said the finance director "sent an email to council saying she was not under medical care and was nothing wrong with her medically…I think this is an issue between her and the city manager." Told of Kline's comment, Lynch responded that he has the authority as stated in the village employee handbook, but Kline didn't agree. "I'm having a hard time believing anything (Lynch) tells me," the mayor said. Lynch and Kline have been at odds over a number of recent village issues.

Attempts to reach Musson have been unsuccessful, while messages left for her legal counsel Jerome Linnen have not been returned. Newton Falls Law Director A. Joseph Fritz also has not responded to several earlier messages requesting comment. In the meantime, Lynch has appointed Pamela Wolford, a finance department employee, as acting director of finance. "She has a finance degree from Youngstown State University," the city manager said.