Hearing set on mayoral removal suit

DETROIT, June 19 (UPI) -- A lawsuit filed to block the possible removal of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is set to be heard just 10 days before impeachment proceedings are scheduled.

June 27 was set as the date in front of Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Robert Ziolkowski, just 10 days before the City Council plans to begin impeachment or forfeiture hearings, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday. Kilpatrick also faces federal perjury charges related to his role in a police department whistleblower lawsuit.

But mayoral administration attorney Godfrey Dillard argues the council is not given specific authority under the city charter to impeach Kilpatrick. He said he is trying to avoid wasting taxpayer money on removal hearings that are fatally flawed.

"What we're seeking here is a first-round technical knockout," Dillard said.

But council members and their legal counsel respond while charter language could be more precise, it still gives the council clear authority to remove a mayor.