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.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:38 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:38:07 GMT
Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young both entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in the brutal attack on Tucker's family. We're learning both of their attorneys want separate trials.
Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young both entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in the brutal attack on Tucker's family. We're learning both of their attorneys want separate trials.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:36:59 GMT
A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:18:12 GMT
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:53:04 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:08 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:08:18 GMT
Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:02:29 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-06-18 12:44:22 GMT
DTE Energy says about 17,000 customers remain without power Tuesday after a wave of thunderstorms hit parts of southeast Michigan. GO INSIDE THE STORY TO VIEW AND ADD YOUR PHOTOS.
DTE Energy says about 20,000 customers remain without power Tuesday after a wave of thunderstorms hit parts of southeast Michigan. GO INSIDE THE STORY TO VIEW AND ADD YOUR PHOTOS.