Barbara Murdock

Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority executive director Barbara Murdock was suspended by the Board of Directors earlier this week for allegedly paying her personal Alabama Power bill with a BJCTA credit card in September 2017, sources confirmed.

The charge totaled $477.25, sources also confirmed.

Murdock, who was suspended without pay by the BJCTA Board of Directors during a special call meeting on Tuesday, April 3, reimbursed the authority in November 2017, sources say.

The suspension is pending the results of an investigation into the potential "unauthorized use" of a BJCTA credit card, according to BJCTA attorney Deborah Walker.

The investigation has been referred to the office of state attorney general Steve Marshall, which has not yet returned messages seeking comment.

When reached by telephone on Saturday, Murdock referred all questions to her attorney, Rod Cooks.

'It's not our policy to comment on pending matters," Cooks said.

However, he added, "We will explore all avail options, including trying to get her pay reinstated."

Murdock earned an annual salary of $200,000

Murdock's photo and bio have been removed from the "Our Team" page on the BJCTA website.

After going into a 35-minute executive session, the Board voted 6-1-1 to suspend Murdock "pending a full investigation into financial matters," Board chair Ruby Davis said at the meeting.

The board similarly voted to appoint Director of Operations Christopher Ruffin as interim executive director.

Board member Patrick Sellers was the lone "no" on both votes, and has since been a vocal critic of his fellow Board members, charging them with being "novices" who did not handle the allegations properly.

Darryl Cunningham, one of two new directors who was attending his first Board meeting, abstained from both votes.

At the meeting, BJCTA attorney Deborah Walker said the use of a BJCTA credit card for personal matters "would be a violation of BJCTA policy and state law and her contract.

"Until a full investigation has been completed," she added, "I think [suspension] is the appropriate step."

Murdock, a Birmingham native, was hired in August 2016.