LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office has taken a preliminary step in its review of a Detroit City Council request to remove Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick from office.
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd says Wednesday: "We sent a letter asking the parties to name a legal representative that we can work with. It's part of the process as we prepare to begin our review."
The governor so far has said she wants to allow the criminal process to play out, so it's unclear if she will move to oust Kilpatrick, a fellow Democrat accused of misconduct in a whistle-blowers' settlement.
Councilmembers sent a petition to Granholm's office Tuesday asking her to remove the mayor. A Kilpatrick spokesman accused the council of "playing politics."