Big Dogs Weblog

Kwame Kilpatrick, In Jail Where He Belongs

by Big Dog on May 25, 2010 at 19:17 Political

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was given an awful lot of rope after he was found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice when he tried to cover up wrongdoing while in office. He was given probation and ordered to pay back 1 million dollars to the city. He was allowed to move to Texas so he could work at his $120,000 a year job to pay off his debt but he screwed that up. He hung himself with the rope he was given.

Kilpatrick, as part of his probation, was ordered by the court not to hide any assets that could be used to pay restitution. He decided to hide assets and the judge sent him to jail for violating his probation. This from the judge says it all:

“Probation is no longer an option. The terms of your earlier probation no longer apply. That ship has sailed,” Groner said. “This is all because of the actions of you, Mr. Kilpatrick. You were convicted … all because you lied under oath. That lie … was part of a broader attempt to cover up your misdeeds while serving as mayor.

“You challenged this court’s authority,” Groner said. “You attempted to utilize semantics and exploit loopholes. The broader context of this issue is that your family living expenses — including living in a million-dollar home, driving a brand new Escalade and purchasing elective surgery for your wife — you have made it perfectly clear that it’s more important to pacify your wife than comply with my orders.”

Kilpatrick will get 120 days credit for time he served in 2008-09 in the Wayne County Jail. That means he will serve 14 months in a Michigan prison before he can apply for parole.

“Sergeant, can you secure the defendant, please,” Groner commanded as four sheriff’s deputies moved in to handcuff Kilpatrick and led him from the courtroom. Detroit News

Kilpatrick will have to serve between 1.5 and 5 years though his attorneys are certain to appeal. His supporters feel he was treated unfairly.

Right. The only people treated unfairly were those who trusted him to hold office in an ethical fashion. He shattered that trust and spun a web of lies.

He needs to spend time in jail though I doubt he will learn a thing.

There is concern about what this will do the the family. Sell that million dollar home and pay off the debt and then get jobs.

Now there is a novel idea.

Never surrender, never submit.

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Tags: debt, jail, kwame kilpatrick, lies, perjury, violation