ATHENS, Tenn. — A case of mistaken identity may have led to the city’s paying part of Councilwoman Shannon Alvey’s unemployment compensation since she was laid off from her job, officials said.

Now someone may have to pay the city back, but city Personnel Director Rita Brown said she doesn’t know how that’s going to happen.

Mrs. Alvey said she lost her job at a medical office during a downsizing in March. She filed for unemployment and has been collecting $271 a month, according to documents she provided. She also earns $218 a month for her City Council service, records show.

Ms. Brown said Athens has paid more than $500 to date toward Mrs. Alvey’s unemployment compensation because she is a council member.

“I called them (the state) and they said we owed the money and there was nothing we could do about it,” Ms. Brown said.

Mayor John Proffitt said he also had asked why the city should have to pay part of Mrs. Alvey’s unemployment compensation and had been told that employees fall under the unemployment laws.

But Marie Moss, assistant administrator of the Tennessee Department of Employment Security, said Thursday that there’s been a mistake. Elected officials don’t qualify for unemployment compensation for their service. She said Mrs. Alvey may have been classified improperly as a city employee rather than an elected official.

Ms. Moss said she would contact the city to determine if there is an error. Mrs. Alvey said she had no idea the city was paying part of the unemployment.

The payments came to light after a tip to a local newspaper that the city was paying part of her unemployment compensation as well as her council check.

Mrs. Alvey is running for re-election and has pushed strongly for changes at city hall.

Asked if she believed the tip was an attempt to harm her campaign, Mrs. Alvey said, “If it has the look of a duck, and feel of a duck, it’s probably a duck. But with the calls I have received, I believe the tip has had the opposite effect.”

Mr. Proffitt said someone who wanted to affect the election probably would have held unfavorable information until just before Nov. 4.

“Personally, I wouldn’t put any push for any kind of political spin on the tip,” he said.

Mr. Proffitt’s seat also is up for re-election but he is not running. Mrs. Alvey, former city Community Services Director Harold Hunter, retired museum director Ann Davis and businesswoman Ingrid Cooley have announced candidacies. The two top vote-getters will be elected.

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