RIVERSIDE | — City Manager Jim Onello was put on unpaid leave Tuesday night by the City Council following a short executive session.
The council, meeting in the wake of Onello's public apologies related to his use of city credit cards, also terminated his annual salary of about $89,000 and benefits.

Onello apologized last weekend, saying he charged more than $1,100 on city credit cards for bills from the strip club the Living Room, 3830 N. Dixie Drive.

"He has publicly admitted that he had taken taxpayer money and submitted false documentation to cover those expenses, and called several council members with those same comments," Mayor Ken Curp said. "Now we'll wait for the legal system. As more information becomes available, we'll act on that."

Onello expensed 16 outings to the topless bar in the last year as purported city events or meetings with public officials and other city business contacts.

Onello has told the Dayton Daily News that the meetings did not occur at the Living Room or with the people he mentioned in expense reports. He said he made repayment to the city May 2 for about $1,100, marking his personal check as partial repayment pending a final figure for restitution.

Onello was placed on paid leave May 1. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office investigation remains open and under review with the county prosecutor's office.

No charges have been filed.

Deputy Mayor Johnie Doan said Onello is an at-will employee and can be fired at any time. If he is fired without cause, his contract terms would force the city to provide two months severance pay, Doan said. If fired for cause supported by the sheriff's investigation and/or charges from the prosecutor's office, he won't receive severance pay. Doan has said he didn't see any way Onello could continue as city manager.