Kwame Kilpatrick Gets 28 Years In The Slammer
The former Detroit mayor gets the book thrown at him after having been found guilty of looting the city in a series of schemes that would’ve made Boss Tweed blush — or at least given him a few new ideas. Good riddance to one of the most corrupt pols in recent history
It’s one of the longest sentences for corruption ever handed down to a public official.
Judge Nancy Edmunds, who announced the sentence Thursday, said that it was important to look at the entire history of the defendant, noting that Kilpatrick’s numerous convictions regarding criminal enterprise were drawn from crimes committed during his entire six-year tenure as Detroit mayor, and possibly even during his time in the Michigan Legislature. It was also important to consider the enormity of the investigation — Edmunds said 34 other people have been convicted for crimes pertaining to Kilpatrick.
“Kwame Kilpatrick was entrusted by the citizens of Detroit to guide their city through one of its most challenging periods,” the prosecution’s memo read. “The city desperately needed resolute leadership. Instead it got a mayor looking to cash in on his office through graft, extortion and self-dealing.”
Kilpatrick was found guilty on 24 counts related to bid-rigging, extortion and bribery in his latest trial, which ended in Match. He has already been jailed three times.
In court on Thursday, Kilpatrick briefly addressed the crowd before the sentence was read, choking up as he struggled to speak. “I respectfully ask or a fair sentence, based on what happened here.” he said, according to the Detroit Free Press. “I respect the jury’s verdict … I think your honor knows that I disagree with it.”
