LANSING (WKZO) – The Legal team that defended April Deboer and Jayne Rowse in their fight to reverse Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage have sent a bill to the state of Michigan for 1.9-million and asked the Federal Court to order the state to pay.
The lawyers note that the State’s vigorous defense of the ban prolonged the case and the need for their services.
That’s prompted Democratic State Senator Curtis Hertel to suggest the money come out of Attorney General Bill Schuette’s budget.
He says other state’s ended their appeals at the Federal District Court level. Hertel claims Schuette’s decision to appeal to the Sixth Circuit was driven by his own political ambitions.
The Attorney General’s office did not respond to the suggestion.
The six attorneys cite federal law that attorney fees should be awarded to the victorious party, making it possible for “persons without means to vindicate their rights.”
