Daily Briefs . . .

No Supreme Court appeal for Detroit contractor Ferguson


DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a Detroit contractor who was convicted of corruption along with former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Kilpatrick often went to bat for his buddy, Bobby Ferguson, and punished contractors who didn't make room for him on city excavation projects.

The Supreme Court said Monday that it won't take an appeal from Ferguson, who is serving a 21-year prison sentence. He and Kilpatrick were convicted of conspiracy, extortion and other crimes in 2013.

The government accused Kilpatrick of conspiring to give city business to Ferguson and getting a share of the spoils. The former mayor is serving a 28-year prison sentence.

 

Wayne County says accumulated $82 million deficit wiped out
 

DETROIT (AP) — Wayne County says projections show it has wiped out an accumulated deficit of more than $82 million.

The county says Tuesday in a release that an independent audit on the findings has to be conducted.

Executive Warren Evans’ office also says unfunded health care liabilities have been cut by nearly $1 billion, while future pension costs have been reduced by nearly $126 million.

Gov. Rick Snyder confirmed this summer that a financial emergency existed in the county. The county entered into a consent agreement with the state to fix its finances which included a projected $171 million structural deficit by 2019.

Evans’ office says the structural deficit has been cut by 93 percent.

The county says plans for 2016 include reorganizing its Land Bank Authority.

 

‘Professionalism in Action’ to be held at Detroit Mercy law Jan. 15
 

Detroit Mercy Law is holding its annual Professionalism in Action event in conjunction with the State Bar of Michigan on Friday, January 15 from 1:30–5 p.m.

 Prominent judges and lawyers have agreed to serve as small group facilitators and the State Bar President, Lori A. Buiteweg, will give the keynote address in the atrium of the School of Law.

Professionalism in Action emphasizes Detroit Mercy Law’s commitment to incorporate ethics across the curriculum. Prominent judges and lawyers will discuss the importance of civility and work through a series of ethical and professionalism hypotheticals with all first-year law students in small groups and  a networking reception will follow.

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