Kilpatrick's suit against attorney Stefani dismissed.

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January 28, 2010


Kilpatrick’s suit against attorney Stefani dismissed
BY DAVID ASHENFELTER and BEN SCHMITT
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
A Wayne County Circuit judge today dismissed a lawsuit by former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick against attorney Mike Stefani, the man who played a large role in Kilpatrick’s downfall.

Kilpatrick through his lawyer Jim Thomas accused Stefani of violating a November 2007 confidentiality agreement he signed with the city that called on him to turn over all copies of the explosive messages he obtained in exchange for settling police whistle-blower suits involving three ex-Detroit cops for $8.4 million.

Kilpatrick later pleaded guilty to perjury-related felonies in the whistle-blower case and went to jail.

However, Judge Robert Colombo Jr. ruled that Kilpatrick in effect signed away his rights when he signed the settlement agreement in the whistle-blower suits.

Kilpatrick sued Stefani in October, citing Stefani's testimony that he gave copies of incriminating text messages to the Free Press for "safekeeping."
The Free Press has declined to reveal its source or sources in obtaining the text messages. The newspaper also has declined to comment on his testimony.
The suit, which sought $2.66 million, asked that any damages would go to the City of Detroit and not Kilpatrick.
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