By: Lynn

   As you all know, I have been covering this Detroit mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick for some time now. He is a scourge on Detroit who has zero class. Unfortunately Detroit is unable to shake him. They can’t get rid of this rogue. Check this out:

The Detroit City Council launched an historic effort today to pry Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick from office, approving – by a single vote – a two-front strategy by asking to ask Gov. Jennifer Granholm to remove Kilpatrick while starting its own process to expel the mayor.

Adding to the high drama of the day was Councilwoman JoAnn Watson’s post-vote wavering, as she made a last-ditch effort to convince the mayor to resign. But when Kilpatrick – and then his lawyer – said he would not, Watson returned to council chambers to reaffirm her swing vote for Kilpatrick’s removal.

I think it places additional pressure on the mayor to consider making a move, said Council President Ken Cockrel Jr., who would become mayor if Kilpatrick is forced from office. The only way I see the mayor going out is probably if some deal is cut between him and the prosecutor or if he’s forced out in some way.

Kilpatrick faces eight felony charges for perjury, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and misconduct in office for his handling of an $8.4 million whistle-blower settlement between the city and three former cops. Christine Beatty, his former chief of staff who, like Kilpatrick, lied about their affair, faces similar charges.

Granholm’s office was tight-lipped today about the council’s request. Granholm can’t review the matter until she receives a sworn statement from one or more council members accusing Kilpatrick ofmisconduct. Council’s attorney, Bill Goodman, said it would be a week before he submits the request.

The simultaneous effort by council to remove the mayor on its own, known as forfeiture, would begin June 13 with a public hearing in which Kilpatrick will have a chance to appear and defend himself. That hearing could be complicated by the mayor’s reluctance to talk while his criminal case is pending.

Kilpatrick’s lead criminal defense attorney, Dan Webb, told reporters after the council vote that the forfeiture process is unnecessary because the criminal trial will end long before the forfeiture process is resolved. If convicted of a felony, Kilpatrick faces automatic removal.

It’s also unfair to deprive Kilpatrick of his job before he has his day in court, Webb said.

He has never considered resigning, Webb said. It has never been an option. It is not going to be an option in the future.

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