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 8:19 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:19:36 GMT
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
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Spirit of Detroit statue outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
