JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — It's good news for Jefferson County employees. They will receive their paychecks.
It's a story we've been following all week, and now, there is relief for many in Pine Bluff.
This all started because Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson denied payroll after he said two employees were being paid illegally.
Since then, 400 employees have been impacted because they couldn't get paid.
The payroll was approved on Wednesday, but the fight between the judge and other elected officials hasn't finished yet. That morning, several Jefferson County employees walked out after they discovered they would be without pay for another day.
"It's unfair for all of these employees, including myself, to be working and not to be paid," Jefferson County employee Shajyveon Winston said.
Inside the building, offices remained open with little to no staff.
"I'll wait on as many people as I possibly can," Jefferson County Assessor Gloria Tillman said. "One person at a time."
After the walkout, Robinson was served with a lawsuit by one of the employees, asking for at least $750,000 in compensation.
"I'm used to getting and seeing lawsuits," Robinson said. "If I don't see it from the sheriff's office, I'll see it elsewhere."
Robinson then issued a court order for the payroll to be approved as long as the two employees in question did not get paid.
The county clerk said she processed the checks, but that was the extent of her authority. The department heads then receive the checks, which they hand out.
Despite the confusion, employees said they were happy to be paid.
"Yes, I'm very happy people stepped up to help us get this done," Jefferson County Tax Collector Tony Washington said. "It's a shame that it took all this, but at least my people can get their checks."
We contacted the county attorney to see if he plans to step in to prevent this from happening again. He didn't have a comment.