Church mistakenly targeted in efforts to collect unpaid bills

DETROIT (AP) - The leader of a small church on Detroit's east side says the city mistakenly sued seeking $170,000 for an electric bill that's owed by a church with a similar name.

The Detroit Free Press reports the city mistakenly went after Total Life Christian Ministries, but later apologized and told Bishop Daryl Harris' lawyer the lawsuit would be dismissed. The newspaper says the church that actually owes the money hasn't been sued yet.

Harris says his reaction to learning about the lawsuit was "sheer disbelief."

The suit was brought as part of an effort to collect on unpaid Detroit Public Lighting Department bills by suing churches, schools and other organizations.

Detroit emerged from Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection in December and the city has phased out its money-losing lighting department.

Published: Fri, Apr 17, 2015