Corruption trial of former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick begins Friday

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Kwame Kilpatrick

/ AP

(CBS/AP) DETROIT (AP) - The corruption trial of Detroit's former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, began Friday, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Chutkow telling jurors Kilpatrick lived a luxurious lifestyle funded by hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks received during his nearly seven years in office.

Chutkow gave jurors a 40-minute overview of the case, describing Kilpatrick as a modest state lawmaker who became rich after becoming mayor in 2002.

Chutkow says Kilpatrick was elected as a young and enthusiastic public servant, but that he then began living a much better lifestyle than the people he served.

The charges against him are racketeering conspiracy, extortion, bribery, fraud, false tax returns and tax evasion.

Defense lawyer James Thomas denied any bribery or extortion and told jurors that the case is a "scam."

Kilpatrick's father, Bernard Kilpatrick, and two other people are also on trial.

Kilpatrick quit as mayor of the city in 2008 and was convicted of lying from the witness stand about an extramarital affair, a relationship that was revealed in sexually explicit text messages. He served 14 months in jail.

Complete coverage of Kwame Kilpatrick on Crimesider

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