Dave Mitchell, who has served as the city's Corporation Counsel since Mayor Harry Tutunjian took office in 2004, is no longer employed by the city of Troy.

He has been replaced on an interim basis with Deputy Corporation Counsel Charles Sarris.

It is immediately unclear what prompted the conclusion of his duties with the city and officials are not commenting on the change, citing the fact that it is a personnel matter as their reason.

Below is the brief e-mail that was sent out only 10 minutes ago from city spokesman Jeff Buell:

“Effective with the close of business on Friday, February 13, 2009, Corporation Counsel David Mitchell’s service with the City of Troy has concluded.

No comments will be issued, as it is a personnel matter.

Deputy Corporation Counsel Charles Sarris will serve as the acting Corporation Counsel on an interim basis.”

According to past reports from the city's Law Department, the city had continued to lessen the amount it had to pay for civil court claims since the beginning of 2005 and had not lost a Supreme Court trial case or Federal trial/appeal case since 2004 with Mitchell in the position.

Further details were not immediately available.