PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The City of Portsmouth is once again shaking up its city attorney position.
On Friday morning, the Portsmouth City Council voted 4-3 to make Simone Booth the new interim city attorney, ousting Burle Stromberg from the role.
Councilman Bill Moody said the vote comes after Stromberg used profanity while speaking with city council members after Tuesday's city council meeting.
“He expressed his frustration in what council deemed as an unprofessional matter,” Moody said.
However, city leaders couldn’t go into detail about what exactly happened.
“It was something inappropriate that happened and of course, you know, it is a personnel issue so we can’t talk about it in detail,” said Vice Mayor De’Andre Barnes.
Council members voted Simone Boothe as the next interim city attorney. She previously worked as the assistant city attorney. Councilman De’Andre Barnes said she's a good fit.
“I know she has some good qualifications. I have seen her resume,” Barnes said. “So, I am looking forward to what she can do.”
Moody, Mayor Shannon Glover, and Councilman Dr. Mark Whitaker voted against the switch. Whitaker said he’s uncomfortable that the vote keeps a position for Stromberg in the city attorney’s office.
“It creates a lot of uncertainty in the workplace,” Whitaker said.
Stromberg took over the interim position after council members fired former City Attorney Solomon Ashby.
Although Barnes couldn’t go into detail on what happened with Stromberg due to personnel reasons, he says he doesn't think Stromberg should stay in the city attorney's office.
“And to see council members that would keep that person in that position, I just think that is unfair,” Barnes said.
Moody said the city council is getting closer to appointing a permanent city attorney.
We are down to the final candidate and I think we will probably have an announcement in the next two to three weeks,” Moody said.
After a long search, he hopes filling that position will help the council focus on other business.
“That is making life better for our citizens,” Moody said. “Bringing new business, creating new jobs and addressing the needs of our city.”
13News Now reached out to Burle Stormberg for comment, and we are waiting to hear back.
A spokeswoman for the city said Stormberg will work as an assistant city attorney.