MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Pharmacy Board is under fire from state lawmakers following the revelation of a settlement payout exceeding $250,000 to its former executive secretary, Donna Yeatman. The payout comes after Yeatman's ouster amid allegations of mismanagement and financial questions. ABC 33/40's I-Team reported on those allegations in September of last year.

State Senator Lance Bell expressed his disapproval of the settlement, stating, "I was embarrassed, that was outrageous." He criticized the board's management, saying, "The Board of Pharmacy management was in chaos... I guess the answer to that is we're going to get rid of you, but oh we're going to give you a few hundred thousand dollars to go away. That's not how someone gets terminated in the real world."

Governor Kay Ivey approved the settlement along with the attorney general. Ivey's press secretary explained the action in an email response:

The governor reluctantly approved this settlement as required by EO726 in recognition of the “full settlement and compromise” Ms. Yeatman signed waiving “any federal and state law claims . . . for damages, injunctive relief, or any other avenue of redress [she] may have had in the past or has now relating to her employment with the Board.”

Attorney Joseph Kreps, a critic of the board, questioned the necessity of the payout. "A lot of pharmacists have questions. Really it's the pharmacists' money being paid. And they all wondered was this a hush money payment? Does she know something nobody wants to get out?" Kreps said, adding that there was no public discussion on the settlement. He claims there was no legal obligation to pay it.

Kristie Williams, a licensed massage therapist, also questioned the payout, saying, "This is gonna open a whole new avenue. If an executive director does a bad job, all they do is send in a settlement and they get paid. I think it's atrocious."

The board is currently accepting applications for a new executive secretary, with Yeatman's salary previously set at $276,000. The board has yet to respond to the criticism. ABC 33/40 News has called multiple times and sent emails asking for a response.

State lawmakers revamped the board during the past legislative session adding additional members and shortening terms. The board must go through hearings with an oversight committee known as the sunset committee again next year which will review operations.

The Pharmacy Board has a huge responsibility in the state that includes licensing pharmacists and other support staff and hearing complaints.