Kilpatrick won't answer deposition queries

DETROIT, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick refused to answer deposition questions Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by the city's newspapers seeking documents from him.

Kilpatrick, under questioning from lawyers representing the Detroit Free Press, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination in the Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, the Free Press reported.

The Free Press, the Detroit News and the Detroit City Council filed the suit seeking to obtain documents related to the text message scandal, in which Kilpatrick and former chief of staff Christine Beatty were accused of arranging pay-offs to police whistle-blowers to keep secret incriminating text messages they possessed.

Kilpatrick, who pleaded guilty to two obstruction of justice charges and has drawn a four-month jail sentence, will step down as mayor Thursday. The Free Press said Kilpatrick cited his ongoing legal cases as justification for declining to answer the freedom of information deposition questions.

Beatty, meanwhile, turned down a plea deal with Wayne County prosecutors Monday and will take her chances on a trial, the newspaper said. She is facing perjury, obstruction of justice and misconduct in public office charges with penalties of up to 15 years.