Judge gives city, Kilpatrick 7 days to turn over slain dancer’s records

Detroit — Foot-dragging will not be tolerated in connection with a lawsuit brought against the city of Detroit by the family of a slain exotic dancer, a federal judge has warned.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen has given the city and former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick seven days to turn over records sought in connection with the lawsuit brought by the family of Tamara “Strawberry” Greene.

“In light of the disturbing trend … that at least certain of the defendants appear to be consistently failing to provide timely responses to discovery requests … the court cautions the parties and their counsel that any further failures to provide timely and appropriate responses to discovery requests will be met with escalating rounds of sanctions, up to an including dismissal of claims or the entry of judgment,” Rosen said in an order issued late Friday.

The judge granted three “motions to compel” production of certain records filed by Norman Yatooma, the Birmingham lawyer representing Greene’s family.

Greene was killed in a drive-by shooting in Detroit on April 30, 2003.

She had been linked to a rumored stripper party at the mayor’s Manoogian Mansion in the fall of 2002.

Her family is suing the city, Kilpatrick and top city and police officials, alleging they obstructed the investigation of her still unsolved murder for political reasons. Kilpatrick and the other defendants deny the allegations.

The federal lawsuit was filed in 2005 and has yet to come to trial.

Records sought include e-mail, correspondence, 911 tapes, police personnel files, city communication records, Detroit Fire Department response records and other documents.

James C. Thomas, a lawyer for the former mayor, said in December Kilpatrick has agreed to provide the records he has and Yatooma did not need to file the motion.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100119/METRO01/1190362/1409/METRO