UNIVERSITY CITY • City Manager Lehman Walker, under fire during his six-plus years running municipal affairs, has been suspended indefinitely pending further action by the City Council.

Sources say Walker was informed of the suspension Tuesday.

It was imposed by a council majority in a closed door session Monday evening.

Former University City Police Chief Charles Adams has been appointed interim city manager.

Lehman while suspended will continue to receive a $130,000-per-year salary from the city.

The council in closed session also authorized the hiring of a special counsel to represent four council members threatened with possible civil action by Walker.

The city manager's attorney in mid-November notified council members Paulette Carr, Bwayne Smotherson, Terry Crow and Steve McMahon that his client is contemplating a defamation suit in response to criticism leveled at him by the four lawmakers.