By AP
DETROIT –
Lawyers say the man long identified as the owner of the Ambassador Bridge really isn't the owner and should be excused from a critical court hearing next week.
A judge will decide the consequences of finding Detroit International Bridge Co. in contempt for failing to finish work on a project linking the U.S.-Canada span with two Detroit interstates.
Lawyers for Manuel "Matty" Moroun say that a Moroun trust has a minority stake in a holding company that owns the bridge. Moroun and bridge president Dan Stamper have been ordered to court on Jan. 12. Lawyers say it's Stamper who knows the bridge project, not Moroun.
The state Transportation Department says Moroun shouldn't be excused from the hearing. The state says he has control over the bridge company.