Detroit mayor sues over hearing

Lawyers for Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick filed a lawsuit aimed at scuttling a hearing that could lead to his ouster, saying the proceedings would be unfair and presided over by a governor who is biased against him.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Ziolkowski is expected to hear the request today to halt removal proceedings, which are scheduled to start Wednesday.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm scheduled the hearing under a rarely used provision of the Michigan Constitution that allows the governor to evict officials for misconduct. Kilpatrick faces felony charges that he lied under oath about an affair and assaulted investigators. He denies any wrongdoing.