Detroit mayor calls for special City Council meeting to address city attorney's removal

Mayor Dave Bing wants to remove city attorney, Krystal Crittendon, from her position, but he needs Detroit City Council's approval

DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has called for a special meeting with City Council to address the removal of Corporation Counsel Krystal Crittendon.

Bing is seeking a two-thirds vote from City Council to remove Cirttendon from her position at the city's top attorney.

The special meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at the Committee of the Whole Room at city offices.

Detroit mayor wants city attorney out

In a statement Tuesday, Bing said he had asked Crittendon to resign, but she refused.

Watch: Krystal Crittendon says she doesn't regret filing lawsuit

"With Corporation Counsel's decision not to resign, I plan to meet with the City Council this week, seeking a two-thirds vote to remove her as Corporation Counsel," Bing said. "Corporation Counsel believes she has an ethical obligation to the city to consider, but in my opinion part of that obligation as an attorney is to do no harm to your client, the City of Detroit."

Bing is upset over the lawsuit filed by Crittendon that challenged the consent agreement between the Detroit and the state of Michigan.

Crittendon had argued the city charter prohibits Detroit from making contracts where at least one side owes the other money. She says Michigan owes Detroit $220 million in revenue sharing. Crittendon did not attend the hearing.

City Council not showing support for Bing

Detroit City Council members praised Crittendon's courage and now are calling the mayor's move to remove her rogue. That's after Bing labeled Crittendon's lawsuit action a rogue maneuver.

"I think it's bull****," said City Council President Charles Pugh. "I do. I think that this is unfortunate. The Corporation Counsel was doing her job."