Employee demoted after reporting suspicions about Kwame Kilpatrick can sue under WPA

Ira Lee Todd sued the City of Detroit and its mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, after he was demoted from his former position in the Violent Crime Task Force.  He alleged that he was demoted for reporting that a Kentucky resident under criminal investigation was bragging about his relationship with the mayor. For whatever reason, the trial judge had originally concluded that Todd's report of the potential criminal ties between the investigation subject and Kilpatrick did not consitute "protected behavior" under the Whistleblower's Protection Act.    The Court of Appeals rejected the Circuit judge's analysis and reinstated the case.