Corrupt mayor, Detroit's rough run buried in 28-year sentence
The former mayor of Detroit has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for a long string of corruption charges.
Kwame Kilpatrick has been convicted on 24 counts including racketeering, bribery and extortion connected to dodgy business activities, local businessman Bobby Ferguson, and his father Bernard, who have been charged as well.
Judge Nancy Edmunds could have given him up to life, but ended up sentencing Kilpatrick along the lines requested by prosecutors.
“The government has asked for a sentence of 28 years — I believe that is in fact what his sentence should be,” Edmunds said.
Forty-three-year-old Kwame Kilatrick was brought down by the American media.
A news investigation starting several years ago into possible corruption revealed Kilpatrick’s dirty dealings. Alleged text-messages that showed he was having an affair with a city administrator, which led to his resignation and allegations of strong-arming contracts toward his associates, while living lavishly off city funds.