Sharon McPhail believes Krystal Crittendon was right for filing a lawsuit against the state. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
"She's principled and, fortunately for her, they cannot fire her for being principled," said Sharon McPhail.
That hasn't stopped many from calling for her head. Krystal Crittendon, the chief of Detroit's Law Department, is suing the state on behalf of the City of Detroit because she believes the recent consent agreement is invalid because the state owes the city millions of dollars and the city's charter bars it from entering into any contracts with parties that owe money.
McPhail was Detroit's general counsel under former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Does she think Crittendon was right for filing the lawsuit?
"Absolutely."
However, that lawsuit has sparked a powder keg. The state is threatening to withhold millions of dollars and Detroit is facing payless paydays, and Crittendon is being pressured to drop the lawsuit in the interest of the city.
If you ask McPhail, she can't. Why? Because of her very broad responsibilities under Detroit's new charter.
"When she believes that an illegal action is being taken, the charter obligates her to challenge it."
If she doesn't challenge it, McPhail says she creates another dangerous situation.
"If she believes in her judgement as corporation counsel that this is an illegal agreement, she has to. The next thing that will happen is they'll be taking her before the bar for not doing it," she explained. "Any lawyer needs to understand that you have to behave in a very principled fashion."
However, despite her principals, the consequences may be unclear, but the law is not.
"It was what the Charter Commission wanted. It was what the people voted for. Now they don't like it."
There is a hearing scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday and anything can happen.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
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 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.
WTTG FOX 5 & myfoxdc 5151 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 Main Number: (202) 244-5151 Newsroom: (202) 895-3000 fox5tips@wttg.com
Sharon McPhail believes Krystal Crittendon was right for filing a lawsuit against the state. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
