In a dramatic conclusion to a decade-long career with Detroit's Law Department, Deputy Corporation Counsel Chuck Raimi has slammed the door on his way out with a blistering 30-page resignation letter, laden with accusations against his superior, Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett Jr., and Chief of Staff Jason Harrison, according to The Detroit News.
Raimi, who had worked for the city for 10 years before tendering his exhaustive resignation this Tuesday, spared no detail in expressing his disenchantment, accusing Mallett of prioritizing "his ego and arrogance" over the city’s welfare; additionally, he pointed a critical finger at the appointee Jason Harrison, questioning his qualifications and Raimi also raised concerns about the city's handling of important blight litigation cases and a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit debacle which he attributed to the department's mismanagement, as detailed by the Detroit Free Press.
Mayor Mike Duggan weighed in, juxtaposing his disheartenment over the failed reconciliation between the two attorneys with his high regard for both, "I've been really disappointed that I wasn't able to succeed," he said, in a statement obtained by Detroit Free Press, wishing Raimi success in future endeavors while the city refused to comment on the personnel matters.
Within his letter, Raimi detailed instances of being sidelined in the restructured Law Department where Harrison was placed in charge of a new blight division while criticizing Mallett's hands-off approach during critical legal battles, including a failed attempt to revoke a concrete crushing operation's land use rights, the details of which were laid out in the provided documents numbered like legal exhibits by Raimi who claimed his exit was in the city's best interest and with a hope for change, as reported by BridgeDetroit.
Despite the turmoil, Raimi concluded his comprehensive exit by affirming his trust in Duggan and the city's mission, leaving behind a dramatic paper trail meant to press for departmental reform and spotlight the turmoil within one of Detroit's critical city departments.
