Panel won't stay attorney misconduct case ruling
DETROIT (AP) -- A panel says Mike Stefani's admission that he gave text messages to the Detroit Free Press is no reason to block a ruling in the misconduct case of another attorney.
The Attorney Discipline Board panel has refused Sam McCargo's request and will not reopen testimony in his case.
McCargo and Stefani are accused of misconduct for their roles in an $8.4 million whistle-blowers' settlement involving ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. McCargo represented Kilpatrick. Stefani worked for former police officers suing the mayor and city.
Stefani revealed at his Oct. 8 hearing that he gave the newspaper a copy of text messages between Kilpatrick and his top aide for "safekeeping."
Stefani testified before McCargo's panel this summer that he didn't know how the newspaper got the messages.
