Briefs Sought In Kilpatrick Campaign Funds Case

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Did ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick break the law when he used campaign money to pay lawyers to defend him during the text message scandal? 

Michigan officials and attorneys for Kilpatrick have a month to file briefs on claims he used campaign funds to pay lawyers in a criminal case.

An Aug. 18 deadline was set after a hearing Tuesday in Lansing. Kilpatrick could be ordered to pay a $976,000 fine.

A Wayne State University law professor filed the complaint, claiming Kilpatrick didn't have the authority to spend nearly $1 million campaign dollars to defend his personal behavior. Kilpatrick's attorney, James Thomas, says state law allows it

- View a copy of the complaint (.pdf format) -

The ex-mayor was not required to attend the hearing. He remains in prison awaiting parole from prison for violating terms of his probation. He was jailed in 2008 after pleading guilty to misconduct and no contest to assault. The charges stemmed from a text-messaging sex scandal involving a former top aide.

His tell-all book, "Surrendered! The Rise, Fall and Revelation of Kwame Kilpatrick" will be released later this month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.