State construction head retires after audit cites favoritism

ATLANTA - The director of the commission overseeing the state government&#39;s major construction retired Friday amid accusations of favoritism toward his employees. <br> <br> John Butler, director of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, retired from nearly 34 years of service in state government after an independent audit recommended he and deputy director Walt Fairchild be fired for ``gross mismanagement.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The audit, ordered by former Gov. Roy Barnes&#39; office, documented numerous complaints that Butler, 57, showed favoritism to his employees, especially to an agency accountant with whom he allegedly had a romantic relationship. Both Butler and the accountant denied having such a relationship, according to the auditor, lawyer Josie Alexander. <br> <br> Gov. Sonny Perdue&#39;s office is reviewing the audit, said Derrick Dickey, Perdue&#39;s spokesman. <br> <br> The auditor also reported allegations of racial discrimination. <br> <br> Alexander did not say conclusively that employees&#39; race influenced their pay, though ``the assessment of a few of the salaries of African-American employees&#39; did not appear to be based on the actual skill-level requirements of the positions.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Butler could not be reached for comment. <br> <br> The audit also said Fairchild spent too much time in outside meetings and conferences. Fairchild was out of town Friday and also could not be reached for comment.