TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ― The outspoken Florida A&M University trustee involved in a power struggle with the school’s president is resigning.
Rufus Montgomery resigned from the FAMU board on Thursday. Montgomery, an alumnus and successful lobbyist in Georgia, had stepped down as the board chairman in October.
Montgomery leaves the FAMU board several weeks after trustees held a chaotic emergency meeting and almost voted to fire President Elmira Mangum from her $425,000 a year job.
The vote followed allegations about expensive repairs at Mangum’s university-owned home and improper bonuses for a top employee. Mangum has denied doing anything wrong.
Mangum was hired last year as a “change agent” who could help historically Black institution restore its reputation following a tumultuous period that included the November 2011 hazing death of a FAMU band member.
Mangum, however, embarked on a series of hiring and management decisions that drew criticism.
