Detroit Mayor Jailed, Will Lose Law License—and Is Still Under Investigation
After his sentencing yesterday in Wayne County Circuit Court, a former Detroit mayor characterized by Judge David Groner as “arrogant and defiant” began serving concurrent 120-day jail terms for obstruction of justice and assaulting a sheriff’s officer trying to serve a subpoena.
Kwame Kilpatrick also signed an agreement that he will give up his license to practice law, reports the Associated Press. He will be on probation for five years after he is released, and must pay $1 million in restitution.
As discussed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts, his legal problems began when he provided inaccurate information in proceedings related to police whistle-blower litigation—and then unsuccessfully attempted to keep secret, with the help of an $8.4 million settlement, text messages that revealed the truth. (They also revealed an apparent romantic affair with his then-chief of staff, Christine Beatty. She is still facing trial in the obstruction case.)
But they may not be over, even now that he has been sentenced, reports the Detroit Free Press:
“Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy confirmed that she is continuing her investigation of the former mayor’s travel and spending habits—and the subsequent slaying of a woman rumored to have been beaten at the mayoral mansion,” the newspaper writes. The article doesn’t include any response from the mayor or his counsel.
Related coverage:
Detroit Free Press: “Text traffic reveals how Kilpatrick, rivals colluded behind the scenes”
ABAJournal.com: “Detroit Text Messages Reviewed in Tort Case Over Exotic Dancer’s Death”
ABAJournal.com: “How Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Struck a Deal in Detroit”
