A federal judge on Wednesday, Jan. 17, approved a confidential settlement in the fatal Dearbon police shooting of Janet Wilson, who was killed on Jan. 27, 2016.

While the lawsuit was originally filed in August of 2016 with a demand for $10 million or more, it's likely the lawsuit settled for much less.

Wilson, a 31-year-old mentally ill woman, after causing a disturbance at Dearborn's Fairlane Mall and trying to run down security guards with her vehicle, according to police, disobeyed officers' orders to stop her vehicle, and was shot four times as she drove forward in close proximity to Dearborn officers, who were ordering her to stop.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in December 2016 cleared the officer of wrongdoing and deemed the shooting self defense.

Despite the agreement being confidential, municipalities are usually required to disclose even confidential settlement agreements under state public records law.

MLive filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the the settlement, which hadn't yet been approved by U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman, on Dec. 15.

Dearborn sent a letter requesting the deadline for responding to MLive's records request be extended until Jan. 9, but still hadn't provided the settlement agreement as of Jan. 19.

Dearborn Deputy Corporation Counsel Laurie M. Ellerbrake said the the settlement "has to be approved by the probate court." She didn't elaborate on the reason and has not responded to emails sent since the settlement was approved requesting information about when the settlement might be released.

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act allows governmental bodies to conceal public records under certain circumstances, but pending civil litigation or probate court proceedings are not among the reasons provided.

Dearborn City Council previously voted to reject MLive's request for information related to attorney costs stemming from the Janet Wilson shooting, as well as the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Kevin Matthews, who was shot and killed Dec. 23, 2015. A civil lawsuit is ongoing in the Matthews case.

Dearborn elected officials, as well as their legal council, claimed information about legal fees was exempt from public release because it was attorney-client privilege.

An attorney advising MLive said invoices for legal services are not considered attorney-client privileged information. Dearborn's attorney said the city would release litigation costs once the lawsuit was settled.

Dearborn's elected officials and Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad, on the advice of city attorneys, for the last two years have declined to answer questions about either of the fatal police shootings.