Man who sued Detroit for $100,000 over spoiled sex life is a top candidate for key city council appointment

Nearly two years ago, Oreese Collins filed suit against Detroit for what he says were sexual problems spurred by his wife’s hostile job as an aide to Mayor Dave Bing.

Now Collins, who was demanding a $200,000 tax-funded payout, is among the top five candidates interviewed Tuesday for two of five city council-appointed seats on a state-created authority tasked with upgrading Detroit’s public lighting system.

When asked Wednesday if he had any potential conflicts with the city, Collins said no and never mentioned the lawsuit. He was unprepared for the interview, saying he hadn’t read the material on the authority.

Wife Rochelle Collins sued the city in June 2011 on claims she was fired for blowing the whistle on Karen Dumas, a rising influence in the administration, for allegedly creating a hostile work environment – allegations that were never substantiated. Collins’ husband also sued, saying the stress from his wife’s job spoiled their sex life.

The city eventually settled the case with a $200,000 settlement and returned Rochelle Collins to the city payroll, where she remains today.

Oreese Collins is a former city employee and was the executive director of contracting and procurement for Detroit Public Services, before he and other administrators were removed in June 2009 during a district-wide restructuring.

Others interviewed Wednesday were attorney Cynthia Williams; Detroit contractor Damon Tooles; Robert Thomas, a mechanical engineer and law student; and Craig Vanderburg, president of the Palmer Woods Neighborhood Association.

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Steve Neavling is an investigative journalist and former city hall reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Living on the city’s east side, Neavling explores corruption, civil liberties and the underbelly of an oft-misunderstood city.

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  city council, detroit, Husband, mayor bing, Oreese Collins, Public lighting authority, Rochelle Collins, steve, streetlights

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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