Detroit Newspapers' Attorneys Seek Mayor's Deposition in Settlement

Posted Friday, May 30, 2008 12:00 am

By: Corey Williams Attorneys for two Detroit newspapers will seek depositions from Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his ex-top aide, and lawyers about an $8.4 million whistle-blowers' settlement.

Lawyers for the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News said after a court hearing Friday the depositions are set for June.

The newspapers are seeking the release of text messages from the city's former communications provider.

A hearing on Kilpatrick's request for protection from giving a deposition is set next week in Wayne County Circuit Court.

A judge says he can't force SkyTel to release the text messages, but possibly could order the city to request them.

Kilpatrick and former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty are charged in a separate criminal case with lying under oath in the whistle-blowers' trial. Text messages have contradicted their testimony.

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Detroit Newspapers' Attorneys Seek Mayor's Deposition in Settlement

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