September 2, 2009
LANSING
- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office is serving as
counsel to Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb
in a
lawsuit filed by the Detroit School Board that challenges the scope of Bobb's
authority as emergency financial manager under the Local Government Fiscal
Responsibility Act.
Cox said that his office will
serve as Bobb's counsel because Bobb is a public officer appointed by Governor
Granholm under state law and because Bobb made a request for representation.
Cox appointed John C. Clark, of Troy, as a Special Assistant Attorney General to
handle the case.
On behalf of Mr. Bobb, a
counterclaim was filed today to the DPS Board suit in order to block the Board's
August 13, 2009 appointment of a General Superintendent. The suit notes that
the
Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act, under which Bobb was
appointed Emergency Financial Manager, gives Bobb the power to issue orders
which are binding on the district. In March 2009, Bobb issued an order stating
that "there shall be no personnel actions taken by the school district of any
kind, including, but not limited to new hires, transfers, terminations, salary
adjustments, or reorganizations of divisions or departments of the school
district without the approval of the emergency financial manager." Bobb did not
grant approval of the Board's appointment.
The case was
filed in the Wayne County Circuit Court before Judge Wendy Baxter.
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