WDET News
- Attorney General: Former Detroit Mayor May Have Violated Campaign Law
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Dec 15, 2009GeneralMichigan’s Attorney General says former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick may have violated the law…if he used a campaign fund to pay his lawyers.
Mike Cox
WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter has more…
Attorney General Mike Cox issued an opinion that directs the state official in charge of elections – Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land – to examine whether Kilpatrick used his re-election fund to pay lawyers defending him against charges he assaulted a Wayne County deputy last year.
Cox says public officials can use campaign money to pay for a defense against charges related to their official duties…but not to fend-off charges related to personal conduct – like the assault case.
Cox suggests in his written opinion that the Secretary of State must now determine what funding source Kilpatrick used to pay his attorneys.
Kilpatrick could face fines if it’s found that he violated campaign finance law.