Secret Detroit Mayor Whistleblower Documents

Larry Buckfire

Contributor

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

"The documents in question were never introduced into evidence during the lawsuit or trial, were never part of the evidence the jury considered during the trial and many of the documents have never been in the city's possession," said Sharon McPhail, general counsel to the mayor, said in a statement. "We disagree with the judge's ruling and will immediately appeal."

The recent news about Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's text messages and possible perjury charges have made headlines and have been the top story on local newscasts. This comes after a substantial Whistleblower case jury verdict in favor of two fired Detroit police officers who claimed they were wrongfully terminated by the City of Detroit. The text messages between the Mayor and his top-aide were not obtained until after the trial, but would have certainly provided further support to the claims of the dismissed officers. The city subsequently paid a settlement in the neighborhood of $9 million dollars. Local news agencies have been attempting to obtain additional documents under the Freedom of Information Act, but the city has attempted to block those records. A lawsuit was brought to compel the production of those records and Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Robert Colombo Jr. has ordered the city to turn them over.

Judge Colombo is known throughout the legal community as an extremely fair and intelligent jurist without an agenda. In this case, he considered all arguments and the applicable legal standards before compelling the production of the documents. Despite the fact that Judge Colombo's decisions are rarely overtuned by higher courts, the city apparently plans to appeal his decision.