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City Council Schedules Closed Session On Whistleblower Lawsuit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit City Council is planning to meet with city attorneys in closed session to discuss the whistleblower lawsuit filed last week against Mayor Dave Bing and his former communications director.

City Councilwoman Brenda Jones says council members need to know who is representing the city in the lawsuit.

"I don't know if the corporation council is representing. I don't know if Sharon McPhail is representing, and I have several other questions and concerns," said Jones.

Closed sessions are allowed when pending litigation could have a financial impact on the city.

Bing's former executive assistant Rochelle Collins is suing the city and then-communication director Karen Dumas for wrongful dismissal. Collins said it was stressful working with Dumas, who she says is responsible for most of the turnover in Bing's administration.

Also revealed in the lawsuit are allegations that Bing has been lobbying to become an Emergency Financial Manager for the city and the Detroit Public Schools. Bing refutes that.

Dumas, along with Bing's chief of staff, Shannon Holmes, resigned last Friday.

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