Lawyer’s Suit Claims Reverse Bias Over ‘Ghetto Court’ Demotion

A suit filed by Detroit’s former top lawyer claims the city illegally demoted her for making a “ghetto court” remark that would have been overlooked if she were black.

Former corporation counsel Kathleen Leavey says her comments in a conference call with a judge’s aide were misinterpreted, the Associated Press reports. The suit says Leavey was making the point that a Detroit court is regarded as a ghetto court because of poor and inefficient service.

The $75,000 suit claims reverse race discrimination, retaliatory defamation and First Amendment retaliation, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"The Slang Dictionary defines 'ghetto' as 'backwards and messed up,' " the suit says. "Leavey's African-American colleagues have never been subject to discipline, admonishment or ridicule for using the term 'ghetto.' "