Spirit of Detroit statue outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
The City of Detroit is struggling to avoid a financial disaster and the city's top lawyer, Krystal Crittendon, is once again front and center. Her signature is needed on bond refinancing paperwork. Without it, State of Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon says $28-million in revenue sharing money will be diverted to a trustee.
He claims it's not a political move to get Crittendon to drop her legal challenge of the Financial Stability Agreement.
"It's not a threat. It's just there [are] agreements in place that say I have to send the money to the trustee," said Dillon.
"She's a lawyer. She knows what she's doing. She's not playing political games, and I trust her," said City Council President Charles Pugh, voicing his support for Crittendon.
"She's not trying to block what we're doing. What she's trying to make sure is that it's legal."
The legal fight between the city and state may not be over. Fox 2 obtained a copy of a letter from the state Attorney General's Office to the City of Detroit's chief deputy lawyer. It was written Thursday and is in response to a request by the city lawyer for the attorney general to join a motion to have an Ingham County judge reconsider his earlier rejection of a lawsuit filed by Crittendon challenging the Financial Stability Agreement.
The response from the state, Crittendon's claims are meritless and there is concern over how prolonging the needless litigation will impact Detroit's ability to meet its financial obligation.
Detroit's interest rate has already been impacted jumping to 6.25-percent, an extra $10,000 a day.
"I think we should stop playing these games. The City of Detroit is broke and this back and forth and these little games about whether we're going to run out of money and whether we should get money that we've already agreed that we should get, I think we should stop this," said Pugh.
We did reach out to Crittendon, but she has not returned our phone calls.
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
Sunday, February 17 2013 11:16 PM EST2013-02-18 04:16:14 GMT
Thick smoke and orange flames could be seen shooting out of a long-abandoned home on Detroit's northwest side late Sunday. Detroit fire fighters worked in the freezing cold temperatures to contain the
A Detroit woman finds her house damaged after a suspected arsonist sets the vacant home next door on fire.
Saturday, February 16 2013 8:15 PM EST2013-02-17 01:15:29 GMT
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road.
One person is dead, several others are injured after a day filled with chain reaction crashes on Metro Detroit freeways. The deadly crash took place on I-96 westbound at Wixom Road. So far, no information has been released about the victim.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Spirit of Detroit statue outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
