DETROIT – Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh announced during Tuesday's meeting that he will take four weeks of medical leave.
Shorty after the announcement the emergency manager's office denied the request for leave and said Pugh has until 5 p.m. Wednesday to decide if he can return to work to fulfill his duties.
Related: Council awaits Gary Brown's next move
What comes next is the question. The emergency manager does not have the power to remove the City Council president from office. Orr can opt out of paying Pugh and he can strip him of his powers.
Read: Rod Meloni: Charles Pugh where are you?
If wrongful conduct were discovered the emergency manager could recommend the governor remove Pugh.
Details of Pugh's request were not immediately released. He has already said he won't be seeking re-election this year.
Pugh was elected to council in 2009 and became council president after receiving the most votes in the election.
Prior to serving in office he worked in as a journalist at several news stations across the country, including Detroit.