Suspended Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman wants to let the community know he never had any intent to misuse the city credit card.

“No one is more surprised than me at what’s been unfolding the past few months,” Norman said. “It’s like I’m watching a who-done-it movie, but I’m the main character and victim.”

With his career on the line as he faces two felony counts and one gross misdemeanor count tied to allegations he abused the city credit card for personal charges, Norman, 56, sat down for an interview with the Tribune Friday, despite repeated advice from his lawyers to the contrary.

He said during the past few weeks he has been frustrated as to how his case has been portrayed.

“Controversy is naturally part of the job when you’re trying to reform, but that’s the nature of the job,” he said in a letter to Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer requesting the interview.

He made no accusations as to why a police investigation was launched or how the incident was handled, though talks about possible motives have been swirling through Albert Lea.

Instead, he said prior to the allegations he had been receiving positive feedback on his performance as city manager during his first few months on the job, when “out of the blue, I am broadsided with a criminal complaint setting forth extremely serious charges alleging that I was involved in some sort of criminal activity, resulting from my very first use of the city’s credit card.”

“To me it seemed that this matter should have been resolved by a meeting and a clarification as to how the expenses were to be handled and the proper procedures to follow,” he continued. “Instead, I was asked to take administrative leave and I now face criminal charges.”

His first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 29.

The Tribune attempted to get his side of the story shortly after the charges were filed, but his lawyers disallowed the city manager to explain.

Tribune Managing Editor Tim Engstrom told Norman on Friday, “Lawyers do not have degrees in public relations and can give poor advice in the court of public opinion.”

Norman said he’s had a career he’s proud of; however, because of the allegations, that career is in jeopardy.

“Somehow this process has unfolded in such a manner that I have been branded as a ‘criminal,’ at the very least judged guilty without any opportunity to present my side of the story,” he added. “Not only has this put serious doubt if I can ever return as the Albert Lea city manager, this series of events has already created such a situation that my career may have been damaged beyond repair.”

He said he has had many accomplishments during his 23 years in public administration.

The following are some of the accomplishments provided by Norman:

In Afton, where he worked as interim city manager from 2008 through April, he assisted a severely divided council with high staff turnover to develop a better decision-making process. The city was embroiled with seven litigation suits against the city, but five have since been settled.

In Ramsey, where he worked from 1998 through 2006, he said he managed 100 employees at one time and oversaw a $12 million general fund operating budget. He guided the development and construction of a new city hall, fire station, water tower and senior housing project and was recognized at the regional and national level for an urban village style transit development known as the Ramsey Town Center.

In Montevideo, where he worked from 1994 through 1998, he said he guided the development of a city hall reconstruction project and a new wastewater treatment facility. He managed 45 employees.

He said while he did have his controversies in this community when he helped take beer out of the fire hall, he did as he was instructed by the council.

In Renville, from 1990 through 1994, he also guided the development and construction of a new community center, new wastewater treatment facility and senior housing project. He also collaborated with the local agricultural community to bring about job creation through value-added cooperatives.

He was the president of the Minnesota City/County Manager’s Association from 2005 to 2006, assistant city manager in White Bear Lake from 1987 through 1989 and a county commissioner in Blue Earth County from 1980 through 1985.

He described himself as a change agent, even in Albert Lea, noting that is what the Albert Lea City Council asked him to be.

Thus far in Albert Lea, he said, he’s started a weekly correspondence with the City Council, put together the 2011 budget, prepared a proposal for Albert Lea Medical Center to move downtown, proposed a Blazing Star Summit in October and set a new course of openness and transparency for the organization.

Even the closed meetings that were scheduled to discuss litigations against himself he has requested to be open.

“I believe in being open and transparent,” he said.

He noted he does not like telling the media he cannot talk about something.

Norman said also he realizes that because this investigation has become such a big issue, his credibility has been damaged.

However, he noted, he would like to continue as city manager.

“Yes, I’d like to go back tomorrow,” he said. “I love this community.”

Regarding the specific allegations he faces, Norman was limited to what he could say because of the pending litigations against him. However, he said he expects to be absolved of any wrongdoing at trial.

While he cannot fully address the charges at this time, he expects to later fully address them and clear his name.

He also noted that he thinks the section in his employment contract regarding moving and relocation expenses is broad and that it has ambiguous language.

The agreement states Norman agreed to establish a residence within the boundaries of the city within two months of employment.

The agreement reads as follows:

“City shall reimburse up to $5,000 for the expenses of moving Mr. Norman and his family and personal property from St. Paul to Albert Lea. Said moving expenses include packing, moving, storage costs, unpacking and insurance charges.

“Items also included in the $5,000 allowance include lodging and meal expenses for his family in route from St. Paul to Albert Lea. Mileage costs for moving two personal automobiles shall be reimbursed at the current IRS allowable rate.

“City shall pay Mr. Norman an interim housing supplement of $500 per month for a period of two months, or until a permanent residence is established, whichever event occurs first.”

Norman began full time as city manager in Albert Lea May 3.

He said he has used a city credit card when he worked for other cities, but noted he does not remember anything like this happening before.