Governor accepts MEMA Director Lee Smithson's resignation in light of 'a situation'

Gov. Phil Bryant accepted the resignation Friday of the director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Lee Smithson, after he was made aware of what is being called "a situation."

A statement from Bryant's director of communications, Clay Chander, read: "On Friday morning, Gov. Bryant was made aware of a situation involving the executive director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. As a result, the governor accepted Lee Smithson’s resignation on Friday afternoon."

The nature of the "situation" has yet to be made public.

MEMA External Affairs Director Greg Flynn said he received the news in an email Saturday morning.

"We were all shocked by the notification and really have no idea what's going on," he said.

Smithson has not answered a voice message requesting comment.

According to MEMA’s website, Bryant appointed Smithson as the executive director of MEMA on Dec. 15, 2015, and he assumed the role on Feb. 1, 2016.

This is a developing story.

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