Appeals Court Orders Release Of Jailed Bridge Execs
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan appeals court has ordered the release of Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun and his top business associate after a night in jail for contempt.
The one-page decision was released Friday, a day after lawyers for Moroun and Dan Stamper were turned down on their first appeal.
Both men were out before 6 p.m.
Moroun and Stamper were sent to jail Thursday as punishment for their company being found in contempt of court. The dispute centers on a major construction project that is supposed to connect the international bridge to area interstates.
Wayne County Judge Prentis Edwards says Detroit International Bridge Co. repeatedly failed to follow his orders to work with the state of Michigan and get complete the so-called "Gateway Project." Edwards ruled that Moroun and Stamper stay locked up until the work is done.
Matty Moroun's son Matthew Moroun said his father and others at the company had tried their best, repeatedly asking Judge Edwards to clarify his order, to visit the construction site.
Speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950 on Thursday, Moroun also expressed concern for the well being of his incarcerated father, who is 84-year-old. (Listen to the interview, here).
