Feds recommend at least 28 years in prison for Detroit ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick

10/3/2013

DETROIT — Prosecutors are recommending at least 28 years in prison for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick who gets his sentence next week for corruption in office.

A jury in March convicted Kilpatrick of two dozen crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, bribery and tax offenses. The government says he took kickbacks, rigged contracts and lived far beyond his means.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a sentence recommendation today.

Federal agents at trial said Kilpatrick spent $840,000 beyond his salary. Kilpatrick’s lawyer tried to explain it away as gifts from supporters.

Kilpatrick quit as mayor in 2008 in a different scandal.

Kilpatrick pal Bobby Ferguson also will be sentenced Oct. 10. Ferguson was accused of using his relationship with Kilpatrick to get city work and force other contractors to hire him.