Detroit mayor veto called illegal

DETROIT, May 28 (UPI) -- Detroit City Council attorney Bill Goodman said Wednesday Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's veto of a vote to remove the mayor from office has no effect.

The council accuses Kilpatrick of violating the city charter, in part, because he didn't get council members informed consent before approving $8.4 million to settle police whistle-blower cases, and that he used his public office for private gain by trying to keep details of the deal secret, The Detroit News said.

The mayor faces felony perjury, obstruction of justice and misconduct charges that could put him in prison for up to 15 years.

Kilpatrick notes in an 11-page veto message that the city charter says only a felony conviction or lack of qualifications qualify as grounds for removal from office, The Detroit Free Press reported.

"Your honorable body has not articulated any charter violation which is applicable to this situation," he said.

Goodman, however, argues Kilpatrick's logic is "lunacy" because, in addition to Kilpatrick facing felony charges, the city charter also forbids the mayor from issuing a veto on quasi-judicial actions, the Press said.

The Detroit City Council asked Gov. Jennifer Granholm on May 20 to remove Kilpatrick from office. Granholm responded the next day urging both sides to seek legal counsel.