Judge allows Blackwell to travel to Canada

Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News

Detroit -- A judge today reversed an earlier decision and gave Arthur Blackwell II permission to travel to Canada while on bond for charges of embezzlement while serving as Highland Park's state-appointed emergency financial manager.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Edward Ewell Jr. overruled Harper Woods District Judge Roger LaRose, who last week rejected Blackwell's request to visit condominiums he owns across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario.

"The judge just said he should be treated like any other defendant who has a legitimate reason to travel," said Blackwell's lawyer Ben Gonek. "Mr. Blackwell needs to negotiate with the bank because they (his condos) are in foreclosure, and he is trying to save the assets."

Blackwell was charged last month with misappropriating $264,000 while acting from 2005 to 2009 as Highland Park's state-appointed emergency financial manager.

Blackwell was arraigned Oct. 8 in Highland Park District Court on felony charges that carry possible sentences of up to 20 years. The case was moved to Harper Woods 32A District Court after Highland Park District Judge Brigette Officer disqualified herself following disclosure that she said four years ago Blackwell wasn't being paid enough to run the city.

Blackwell has sued the state over his pay. He claims he agreed to do the job for $1 per year, but only for the first year. He says he is owed a salary of $11,000 per month and that the state owes him more than $100,000.

A preliminary examination of the evidence against Blackwell is set for Nov. 17 before LaRose.

dguthrie@detnews.com (313) 222-2548