Guilty! Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick convicted of corruption, extortion
A major part of Detroit's downfall is the political criminals who ran a corrupt city administration including Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
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A federal jury in the Eastern District of Michigan convicted a high-ranking Democratic political leader in Detroit, Mich., on Monday following a five-month long criminal trial and a 14-day jury deliberation, according to a federal law enforcement official.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, and 44-year-old Bobby W. Ferguson, also of Detroit, were convicted on federal charges that they used Kwame Kilpatrick’s positions as mayor of Detroit and Michigan State House Representative to perpetrate a racketeering conspiracy involving extortion, bribery, and fraud.
The 42-year-old Kwame's father, Bernard Kilpatrick, 70, of Detroit, was also convicted of a felony tax offense in a separate trial.
Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted of 24 counts of extortion, mail fraud, tax violations, and racketeering, Bobby Ferguson was convicted on nine counts of extortion and racketeering.
Two other co-defendants Victor Mercado, former director of the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, and Derrick Miller, former chief administrative officer of the City of Detroit, were also indicted as being part of the criminal conspiracy, and both government officials pleaded guilty to their roles and are awaiting sentencing.
The jury deliberated for about two seeks before returning the guilty verdicts, concluding a five-month long trial before United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds.
Detroit’s city government operations were taken over by Michigan State government following an order by the Governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder. This takeover was the result of financial problems for a city that was deemed highly corrupt, with much of the corruption occurring during the Mayoral term of Kwame Kilpatrick.
The evidence presented by the prosecution at trial established that Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson participated in a racketeering conspiracy to financially enrich themselves, their associates, and their families by using the power and authority of Kwame Kilpatrick’s position as mayor of Detroit.
He also used his position as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives to commit extortion, bribery, and fraud, as well as defrauding donors to non-profit entities under the control of Kwame Kilpatrick and his associates, including the Kilpatrick Civic Fund, Kilpatrick for Mayor, and the Kilpatrick Inaugural Committee.
For example, during the trial, evidence revealed that during Kwame Kilpatrick’s tenure as mayor, he and his father, Bernard, solicited and accepted payments and property valued at over $1 million from persons seeking business with the city or its General Retirement System or police and fire pension funds. However, this was merely the tip of the iceberg.
United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade stated, “Although this investigation spanned many years, this case is not about the past. It is about the future. This verdict has sent a powerful message that corruption will not be tolerated in this community. The people of Detroit deserve better and expect better. Candidates should seek public office to make a difference, not to make money for themselves.”
“The U.S. EPA mandated the improvement of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to address long-term non-compliance with the city’s discharge permit,” said Randall K. Ashe, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Michigan. “Sadly, former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick used the awarding of these contracts as an opportunity to enrich himself and Bobby Ferguson. EPA CID is very grateful to the jury for rendering this verdict and hope that this sends a clear message to all municipal officials that this conduct will not be tolerated.”
HUD Special Agent in Charge Barry McLaughlin stated, “The citizens of Detroit should not have to tolerate those who use deceit and fraud to fill their pockets with money reserved to improve this community. This case will serve notice that the United States Attorney Office and HUD-Office of Inspector General will make every effort to ensure that these funds are used for this community and will vigorously investigate those that work scams at the expense of Detroiters.”
Jim Kouri, Law Enforcement Examiner
Jim Kouri, CPP, the fifth Vice President and Public Information Officer of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, has served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Contact Jim. What others are saying about Jim Kouri: Semana.com...
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