As Detroit residents fled one of the nation's most-distressed cities in waves, then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick enriched himself and his allies by rigging public contracts, shaking down businessmen and pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars, the government alleges.
A jury will hear that damning portrayal of the flashy, charismatic former leader, who's already spent more than a year in prison in an unrelated case, when he returns to federal court Friday to face a slew of corruption charges.
Kilpatrick's previous 14-month prison term followed a probation violation after his 2008 conviction for lying from the witness stand about an extramarital affair later revealed in sexually explicit text messages. If the jury finds him guilty in the corruption case, he could go back behind bars for more than a decade.
The 100-page indictment describes him muscling contractors, rewarding pals and repeatedly reaping illegal benefits â€" cash, travel, golf, even yoga â€" while running a city that struggled more than most during the economic downturn.
"What is extraordinary here is just the volume of evidence, the breadth of the indictment," said David Steingold, a defense attorney not involved in the federal case. "I can't speak to it, but it looks as though they're just trying to overwhelm Mr. Kilpatrick. They're trying to throw so much mud at him."
AP
In a Sept. 6, 2012 photo, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick walks to federal court on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 in Detroit with attorney Jim Thomas. Opening statements are set for Friday, Sept. 21. Kilpatrick, his father Bernard, former city water boss Victor Mercado and Kilpatrick pal Bobby Ferguson are accused of a sweeping corruption scheme. (AP Photo/Detroit News, David Coates) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT
Close The charges appear daunting: racketeering conspiracy, extortion, bribery, fraud, false tax returns and tax evasion.
Kilpatrick, who now lives in Grand Prairie, Texas, has declared his innocence, most recently in August during a 90-minute session with reporters. He called the government's case "irresponsible" and "horrible."
"Was I corrupt? Absolutely not," said Kilpatrick, wearing a tailored suit and cufflinks, his sartorial trademark when he was at City Hall.
Prosecutors, of course, are prepared to offer a different story â€" and they'll have help. The trial will resemble a Kilpatrick Cabinet meeting as many longtime associates who held high-ranking city jobs testify against him.
At least 10 people who have pleaded guilty in the investigation are on the government's witness list, including former Deputy Mayor Kandia Milton and brother DeDan Milton, who was Kilpatrick's executive assistant.
Derrick Miller, who has known Kilpatrick since high school, could emerge as the star. He pleaded guilty to corruption and tax crimes committed while he was Detroit's chief administrative officer. The indictment says he was a crucial middle man, passing cash to Kilpatrick, including $10,000 in a restaurant bathroom.
Another convicted felon, political fundraiser Emma Bell, is expected to testify about $286,000 in kickbacks to Kilpatrick. The government says James Rosendall, who was trying to get a sludge-recycling contract for a Texas company, provided more than $100,000 in cash, private jet flights, entertainment and political donations.
"This is a very big case. There's no mistake about it. I'm ready," Kilpatrick defense attorney James Thomas said outside court, adding that he never sought a plea deal for the former mayor.
Kilpatrick is accused of working hand-in-glove with his father, Bernard, and longtime pal Bobby Ferguson. They, too, are on trial, charged with the same racketeering conspiracy, along with former Detroit water boss Victor Mercado.
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