Judge OKs lawsuit; prison tutor says he suspected GED cheating
JACKSON (AP) — A Michigan prison inmate says he was transferred and lost his job as a tutor after complaining that teachers were supplying answers to a high school equivalency test.
U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith declined to dismiss the lawsuit, the Detroit Free Press reported last Thursday, which means it will go to trial or be settled.
Munin Kathawa, 57, who is serving a life sentence for murder, sued five people, including a deputy warden, claiming his rights were violated. He said he reported his concerns about cheating in 2018 to a state lawmaker and a Catholic priest.
“There is no dispute that Kathawa was an excellent tutor,” Goldsmith said. “Nonetheless, he was removed from his position. ... A jury could reasonably infer that Kathawa was terminated as retaliation for making comments about the GED program and other matters.”
Corrections Department spokesman Chris Gautz declined to comment.
Kathawa said he was falsely accused of being a safety threat and removed as a tutor. A teacher, Laura Bendele, testified in a deposition that she was pressured by officials to stick to that story but refused.
Michigan is forecast to see modest bump in economy, revenue
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state of Michigan’s tax revenues are slightly higher than anticipated, but both Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and Republicans in the Legislature say it’s not a jackpot for new spending.
Economists on Friday agreed to economic and revenue forecasts that will help the Democratic governor propose the next budget.
Economic growth will be modest. Revenues in the state’s two main funds are projected to rise 1.1% this fiscal year and 2.3% next year. The total could come in $321 million higher than was estimated in May.
State budget director Chris Kolb said there will be “huge pressures” on general fund spending due to Medicaid costs, a past road-funding deal, tax cuts, federal policy changes and other factors. It is unclear if lawmakers will push to restore some funding — for tourism and trades training — that Whitmer vetoed months ago as part of a budget impasse.
FBA Eastern District of Michigan Speed Judging (RISE) Event
Join the RISE Committee and several District Court judges for “Speed Judging” (think speed dating, but in this scenario a quick chat with members of the bench to learn things such as: what lawyers do right, common practice pitfalls, career path to becoming a judge, etc.).
The event will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 22 at the Detroit Room of the Theodore Levin Courthouse, 231 W. Lafayette in Detroit, and will be followed up with an informal get together at Avalon Bakery and Cafe for those who would like to participate. Visit fbamich@fbamich.org.
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