Judge in Detroit holds hearing in contempt case against Ambassador Bridge's billionaire owner The USA Times

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Judge in Detroit holds hearing in contempt case against Ambassador Bridge's billionaire owner

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

DETROIT - A judge in Detroit plans a hearing in contempt proceedings against the billionaire owner of the Ambassador Bridge for failing to co-operate with the state on a $230 million project to link the span to Canada with Michigan expressways.

The hearing is scheduled Thursday morning before Wayne County Circuit Judge Prentis Edwards.

Eighty-four-year-old Manuel "Matty" Moroun and bridge company President Dan Stamper were jailed Jan. 12 after Edwards ruled they'd repeatedly ignored his orders.

The Michigan Court of Appeals freed Moroun and Stamper the next day. The court ruled Monday that Edwards had the right to jail Moroun and Stamper but needed to specify what steps they had to follow to gain release.

On Wednesday, the Detroit International Bridge Co. said it would obey Edwards' orders.