Designer purse costs solid waste official his job

CROWN POINT, Ind. - A northern Indiana solid waste board has ended its longtime executive director's contract following accusations he misled the board about a designer purse he purchased for a subordinate.

The Lake County Solid Waste Management District Board voted 22-0 Wednesday to terminate Jeff Langbehn's contract and provide him with three months of severance pay.

Attorneys for Langbehn and the solid waste district say Langbehn has signed a release not to sue the board or its members for ending his contract after 21 years as the district's leader.

The Times of Munster reports Langbehn spent more than $750 on a Michael Kors purse and accessories on his government credit card.

He claimed the purse was actually a briefcase purchased for a female subordinate as a master's degree graduation gift.