The attorney for the family of an unarmed Black California man shot to death by transit police now says that the ordeal never would have occurred if the officers had not been engaged in an affair. In his $50 million wrongful-death lawsuit, filed with the Alameda County Courthouse, Attorney John Burris contends that the two Bay Area Rapid Transit officers who confronted 22-year-old Oscar Grant on the train on New Year’s Day were involved in an “unprofessional relationship.” Burris’ complaint contends that a female officer “got in the face of the young men (suspected of being in the fight) and repeatedly pointed her Taser at them, threatening to tase them in the face.” Read more.

 Christine Beatty, former chief of staff to ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, begins her county jail sentence next week. Kilpatrick is serving 120 days after admitting that he lied under oath about an extra-marital affair with Beatty when the city was sued by two former cops whose investigation could’ve exposed the romance. Beatty pleaded guilty to similar charges last month after many had speculated that she’d agree to testify against Kilpatrick and avoid jail time. Beatty resigned as chief of staff when the Detroit Free Press published dozens of sexually explicit text messages exchanged between her and Kilpatrick.

Removal hearings for Kwame Kilpatrick scheduled for today

Barring a last-minute plea agreement, historic proceedings are set to begin this morning for the possible removal of Detroit’s mayor. Gov. Jennifer Granholm will preside over the hearings requested by Detroit City Council, in the wake of multiple felony charges leveled against Kwame Kilpatrick this spring. He’s accused of both lying in court about an extra-marital affair with his ex-chief of staff and hiding evidence of the affair by settling a multi-million-dollar lawsuit with ex-cops who could’ve exposed the romance. Kilpatrick’s lawyers worked through Labor Day weekend and on Tuesday trying to negotiate a plea that wouldn’t include jail time for and hoping to get a court order stopping Granholm’s hearings. The mayor reportedly sought to offer his resignation, surrender his law license and state pension, do community service and probation, all in exchange for no jail time. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is said to be unyielding on the question of Kilpatrick’s incarceration. The mayor enjoyed a small victory Tuesday when a court agreed to let him remove his ankle monitor at a bond hearing. But a second judge, followed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, ruled that the governor’s hearing can proceed. Granholm’s removal of Kilpatrick would leave him subject to prosecution without the chance to resign as part of any plea. About a dozen witnesses are expected to testify at the 9 a.m. hearing, which Granholm – former Michigan attorney general – plans to oversee.

Screening vice presidential candidates is suddenly an even tougher task.

If nothing else, the revelation of John Edwards’ extramarital affair ought to serve as a serious wakeup call for Sen. Barack Obama. With the Democratic National Convention just weeks away and Obama on the verge of announcing his presidential running mate, the Edwards’ debacle is a reminder of just how important it is to have a slow, thorough vetting process. Just imagine if Obama had chosen Edwards – who we now know was creeping with Rielle Hunter, a former campaign aide – days before this story broke. Are you surprised by the news of his affair? Get the latest details at Pamela On Politics.