The longtime president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority in Lake County was relieved of his duties last week.

Speros Batistatos had been the head of the South Shore CVA since 1989. Inside Indiana Business reports that the Board of Directors dismissed him after several weeks of conflict over contract negotiations.

Batistatos has accused the board of violating state and federal laws, including Indiana’s Open Door Law, by discussing a tourism grant program in private.

He will continue to be paid under his contract terms through December, unless an agreement is reached.