Mayor Mufi Hannemann said he wants Liquor Commission administrator Wallace Weatherwax to report to work as an attorney rather than remain on administrative leave until he retires Oct. 31, as provided in a legal settlement with the commission.

"If you are receiving a city paycheck and you're not on sick leave and you're not on vacation leave, you need to work," Hannemann said. But Weatherwax's attorney, Eric Seitz, said the city already negotiated a settlement and that his client won't be reporting to work beyond what he agreed to in the settlement.

Last week, the Honolulu Liquor Commission approved a settlement that allows Weatherwax to retire Oct. 31 after being stripped of his duties this month. In exchange, he won't challenge his removal.

Commission Chairman Dennis Enomoto said the settlement negotiated with Weatherwax allows the agency to move forward with reform after years of being under fire in a litany of scandal: eight former inspectors found guilty of racketeering, bribery, extortion and other charges; a city audit blasting the commission for mismanagement; an ongoing investigation by the FBI; and other ethics inquiries.

"I certainly appreciate what the mayor is trying to do," Enomoto said. But he said he believes that under the settlement, Weatherwax will provide assistance to the commission as requested. The commission has the authority to hire and fire the administrator.

Seitz said it's too late now for Hannemann to weigh in and try to change a settlement.

"They threw down the gauntlet by removing Mr. Weatherwax from his job and stripping him of his duties, presumably prepared for some disciplinary actions that we don't believe would have succeeded," Seitz said.

Hannemann told reporters yesterday that he thought Weatherwax could steer clear of Liquor Commission policies and leadership but still use his legal skills on behalf of the city.