Detroit Sues Wrong Church In Effort To Collect Unpaid Bills
DETROIT (WWJ/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 city mistakenly went after Total Life Christian Ministries, but later apologized and told Bishop Daryl Harris' lawyer the lawsuit would be dismissed. The Detroit Free Press reports the church that actually owes the money hasn't been sued yet.
Harris says his reaction to learning about the lawsuit was "sheer disbelief."
"I automatically knew it was a mistake, but I was trying to figure out if there was something I forgot to do," he told the newspaper. "I was lost and confused. My first thought was, 'What did I do wrong, and how did I correct it?'"
Harris said the city couldn't say how the mistake was made, but he's relieved to tell the members of his congregation about the new developments.
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.
TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.