Former Detroit Mayor Convicted
Mon, 2013-03-11 11:22
It's been over two years since I
wrote about the indictments of former Detroit mayor Kwame
Kilpatrick, his father, and a city contractor. This morning,
according to an
article in the Detroit Free Press, the jury entered its
verdicts. Kilpatrick was convicted on 24 of 30 counts, including
five counts of extortion, racketeering, bribery and several mail,
wire and tax fraud charges. The contractor was found guilty on nine
of 11 counts, including racketeering and several counts of
extortion.
The Free Press article says, "The defendants were accused of, among other things, shaking down contractors and rigging bids to help steer lucrative contracts to Ferguson. Prosecutors said the philosophy of the enterprise was simple: If you wanted work in the city of Detroit, you either had to hire Ferguson, or in some cases, hire the mayor’s father as a consultant."
It also says that the mayor abused a nonprofit he set up, using it as "a personal piggy bank." Yes, another case of nonprofit abuse.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research, City Ethics
rwechsler@cityethics.org
203-230-2548
The Free Press article says, "The defendants were accused of, among other things, shaking down contractors and rigging bids to help steer lucrative contracts to Ferguson. Prosecutors said the philosophy of the enterprise was simple: If you wanted work in the city of Detroit, you either had to hire Ferguson, or in some cases, hire the mayor’s father as a consultant."
It also says that the mayor abused a nonprofit he set up, using it as "a personal piggy bank." Yes, another case of nonprofit abuse.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research, City Ethics
rwechsler@cityethics.org
203-230-2548
Michael Belk @ethical behavior (not verified) says:
The ex-Mayor deserves everything he gets because he violated the public's trust. I do not feel sorry for him.
There is always a possibility for ethics violations in politics. I bet you will find many politicians dirty of ethics violations.
I do not feel sorry for any one willing to make the public look bad for their selfish gains.