Miramar City Manager Robert Payton abruptly resigned from his job Monday evening.

Payton, 54, had been with the city for almost 37 years, starting as a garbage man and working his way up to city manager in 2001.

During his tenure, Miramar became one of the fastest growing cities in Broward Country.

But in 2010, he was embroiled in the public corruption case against former City Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman. Payton, who prosecutors said facilitated a corrupt deal on Salesman’s behalf, never took any money and therefore was never charged in the crime. He eventually testified against Salesman.

“I’m sorry to see him go,” Mayor Lori Moseley said of Payton’s resignation. “I have a long term, 30-year relationship with him.”

Deputy City Manager Wazir A. Ishmael has been appointed interim city manager.