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Lawyer flouts subpoena in Kwame Kilpatrick book-profits case; judge issues arrest warrant
2:35 PM, Nov. 16, 2011
Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David Groner issued a bench warrant this afternoon for the former business agent of Kwame Kilpatrick’s publisher.
Tennessee lawyer Jack Gritton failed to answer a subpoena to appear in Detroit today to explain why the publisher with Creative Publishing Consultants did not turn over profits from the sale of Kilpatrick’s memoir to repay the ex-mayor’s outstanding restitution debt.
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Athina Siringas told Groner that Gritton accepted the notice of today’s hearing but then notified her he was resigning as the publisher’s agent. Groner suggested issuing the bench warrant for Gritton’s arrest to secure his appearance, saying that refusal to appear now could threaten his license to practice law.
“I’ll sign a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr. Gritton forthwith,” the judge said.
Kilpatrick’s attorney Daniel Hajji, who failed to get the state Supreme Court to stop today’s hearing, tried to speak at the hearing but was silenced by Groner.
“You don’t have standing on this issue today,” Groner said.
The bench warrant will be forwarded to Tennessee authorities to serve on Gritton.
Richard Cunningham was in court today on behalf of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, but did not speak.
The Wayne County prosecutor is arguing that proceeds from “Surrendered: The Rise, Fall & Revelation of Kwame Kilpatrick” should go toward paying down his outstanding $860,702.60 balance due on his restitution. Groner ordered the publisher Creative Publishing Consultants to explain why no money has gone to a restitution escrow account.
Kilpatrick went to prison in 2010 for violating his probation by hiding assets that should have gone to the restitution.
