A former aide to Detroit ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery.  The charge against Marc Cunningham says he paid $4,000 to $6,000 on three occasions to the relative of a Detroit official in 2006 and 2007. The relative and official are not identified in a court document.

Cunningham was silent Thursday and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Prosecutors say he will return to court in a few hours to plead guilty.

Cunningham and his lawyer declined to comment.

A court document says Cunningham was directed to share his commissions from a venture capital firm that was managing Detroit pension money.

Kilpatrick is awaiting trial on tax and fraud charges related to spending from a nonprofit fund. He resigned in 2008.
  
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