How is Detroit Mayor Paying $1M in Personal Legal Bills?

The embattled mayor of Detroit will probably rack up some $1 million in legal bills, observers predict, just defending himself in a criminal case related to his testimony in a civil police whistleblower case. A controversial $8.4 million secret settlement in the civil case has created a political firestorm that is still raging.

Represented by attorney Dan Webb, chairman of Chicago's Winston & Strawn, at a billable hourly rate of $700, among other counsel, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick may already racked up well over $200,000 in legal bills, according to the Detroit Free Press.

At least some of the money apparently is coming from donations from supporters, however, according to the newspaper. "Kilpatrick is under no legal obligation to disclose how he is paying for his defense, but he has come under fire in the past for personal use of city resources," it writes.

Earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Sex, Lies and Text Messages: Mich. Judge Makes Legal Memo Public"

ABAJournal.com: "Musical Hot Seats in Detroit, as Lawyers Testify About $8.4M Settlement"

ABAJournal.com: "Who’s Paying Dan Webb’s BigLaw Bill in Detroit Mayor Case?"