Feds Indict Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
Christopher Weber
Correspondent
Posted:
06/23/10
Already in prison on a parole violation, Detroit's former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been hit with 19 federal fraud and tax charges for allegedly using his non-profit group to pay for personal and campaign expenses.
The indictment unsealed Wednesday accuses Kilpatrick of scheming for years to use the Kilpatrick Civic Fund to make payments to friends and relatives and for "items ranging from countersurveillance and anti-bugging equipment to yoga and golf lessons, golf clubs and summer camp for his children," The Detroit Free Press reported.
The tax-exempt fund also paid for public relations and consulting work for Kilpatrick's campaign and for moving, transportation and travel expenses for the then-mayor and his family, according to the indictment.
The fund had the stated goal of voter education and improving Detroit's neighborhoods and image, the Free Press said.
Kilpatrick is also accused of filing false tax returns, evading taxes, failing to declare income and other tax-related charges.
The indictment unsealed Wednesday accuses Kilpatrick of scheming for years to use the Kilpatrick Civic Fund to make payments to friends and relatives and for "items ranging from countersurveillance and anti-bugging equipment to yoga and golf lessons, golf clubs and summer camp for his children," The Detroit Free Press reported.
The tax-exempt fund also paid for public relations and consulting work for Kilpatrick's campaign and for moving, transportation and travel expenses for the then-mayor and his family, according to the indictment.
The fund had the stated goal of voter education and improving Detroit's neighborhoods and image, the Free Press said.
Kilpatrick is also accused of filing false tax returns, evading taxes, failing to declare income and other tax-related charges.
Detroit FBI Chief Andrew Arena said in a statement that the charges are part of a continuing investigation into "the corruption that has long plagued the City of Detroit."
If convicted, Kilpatrick faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. He will be arraigned July 13.
Kilpatrick is currently serving an 18 month sentence at a Michigan prison for violating probation in the perjury case related to the seamy text-message scandal that cost him his office.