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 CAPE CORAL - Monday morning in the Cape Coral City Hall parking lot there are many cars including this 2012 Infiniti.  Fox 4 has learned it's registered to Cape City Manager John Szerlag.

Take a closer look.  It has a Michigan plate.  A local business owner says Szerlag is breaking the law and much more by not registering his vehicle in this state.

"It shows a sign of a lack of respect to the community," says Lovejoy.

Szerlag started as City Manager seven months ago. According to the DMV, you have ten days to register your car and you are considered to be a resident if:

"you place your children in public schools, become employed, or otherwise establish Florida residency."

"If we break the law we don't get away with anything he should have done it the way it's supposed to be done," said Lovejoy.

As part of Szerlag's 160,000 dollar a year salary he is receiving another 650 dollars of your money in a car allowance.  A car that does not appear to be properly registered in accordance with Florida state laws.

"I think he should lose his car allowance and pay the fine to have his car transferred to the Florida state plate," said Lovejoy.

So we tried to get you an explanantion from Szerlag himself.  But after several interview requests and lots of waiting at his office - we got nowhere.  We did catch up with the city's attorney and asked her about Szerlag's Michigan plates.

She said, "I have no knowledge of that,"

We also talked to former City Council member Bill Deile who says if he was still on council he would ask Szerlag why he hasn't followed Florida state laws.

"If the people on top don't follow the rules you can't very well expect those that work for them to follow the rules," said Deile.

JOHN RUPOLO

FOX 4 NEWS