Detroit (WWJ) -- A Wayne State University law professor and civil rights expert says planned hearings to force Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick from office have no basis in law.
Professor Robert Sedler says he will represent the city in the forfeiture hearings scheduled for July 7.
Sedler will not represent Kilpatrick, who is accused by the City Council of violating the City Charter. The council also has asked Governor Jennifer Granholm to remove Kilpatrick for misconduct.
Sedler says nothing in the charter calls for removal from office for violating the charter.
The tentative plan for the Detroit City Council's hearing on ousting the mayor says members would have to attend every session to vote.
The plan says council lawyer William Goodman would serve as prosecutor and Kilpatrick's lawyers could cross-examine witnesses.
The proposed rules say council would need "clear and convincing evidence'' Kilpatrick violated the city charter to remove him.
The council is set to meet Monday with Goodman to consider the plan.
Kilpatrick and ex-Chief of Staff Christine Beatty are charged with perjury, official misconduct and obstructing justice over their testimony during a whistle-blowers' trial in which they denied being romantically involved. They deny the charges.
The council says it was unaware of a Kilpatrick-signed confidentiality agreement linked to an $8.4 million whistle-blowers' settlement.
Click here for more information on the text message scandal.
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