HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) — The City Manager of Hollywood has quit his job following criticism of the city’s ballooning budget deficit.

Cameron Benson stepped down Wednesday, saying through city attorney Jeffrey Sheffel that it was “in the best interest of the city.” Hours earlier, Mayor Peter Bober had called for Benson to be removed from office. City officials questioned Benson for the city’s $10.3 million budget shortfall amid an FBI investigation of his actions.

The city faces a $25 million budget deficit next year. On Monday, the city fired 31 employees, including 13 police officers, and cut salaries of others to save $2.2 million this year.

The resignation comes a month after anonymous letters surfaced that led to an FBI investigation. Letter writers alleged that Benson accepted gift cards from a waste company seeking a city contract, among other allegations.

Benson has been city manager since 2002.

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